JP7624327B2 - Insulated container and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a thermally insulated container and a method for manufacturing the same.

Conventionally, there has been an insulated container that has a metallic outer container and an inner container, both of which are open at one end, with the inner container housed inside the outer container and the open ends of the two joined together, and a vacuum insulation layer provided between the outer container and the inner container. Such insulated containers are widely used for beverage containers such as water bottles and mugs with heat/cold insulation functions, food containers and cooking utensils with heat insulation functions, etc.

In the above-mentioned insulated container, the open ends of the outer container and the inner container are butted together and then welded together. In addition, in a reduced pressure (vacuum) chamber, a degassing hole on the bottom of the outer container is sealed with brazing material to form a vacuum insulation layer between the outer container and the inner container.

On the other hand, the following Patent Document 1 proposes a method for forming a vacuum insulation layer in which degassing slits provided in the outer container are sealed by welding under reduced pressure.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0231145

However, slits sealed by welding have an unsightly appearance due to the weld marks. On the other hand, if the width or length of the slit is reduced to make the weld marks less noticeable, it takes longer to degas through the slit, resulting in poor manufacturing efficiency.

The present invention was proposed in light of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide an insulated container and a manufacturing method thereof that makes it possible to make weld marks less noticeable when sealing deaeration slits by welding.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
[1] A thermal insulation container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a deaeration slit provided on the bottom surface of the outer container by welding;
The insulated container is characterized in that the weld mark is provided along or near the outline of a recess provided in the bottom surface of the outer container.
[2] The insulated container according to [1], characterized in that the weld marks are provided along the outer periphery of a step portion that forms the contour of the recess.
[3] The recess is provided in a ring shape on the bottom surface of the outer container,
The insulated container according to claim 1, characterized in that the weld marks are provided along the inner periphery of a step portion that forms the inner contour of the recess.
[4] The insulated container according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the weld marks are provided in a plurality along the contour of the recess or in the vicinity thereof.
[5] A thermal insulation container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a degassing slit provided in the outer container by welding;
The insulated container is characterized in that the weld marks are provided along the outline of a design consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures or combinations thereof.
[6] A thermal insulation container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a deaeration slit provided in a shoulder portion of a body of the outer container by welding;
An insulated container, characterized in that the weld mark is covered by a cover member attached to the entire circumference of the shoulder portion .
[7] The heat-insulating container according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the outer container and the inner container are made of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof.
[8] A method for manufacturing an insulated container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container, comprising:
forming a slit for deaeration on the bottom surface of the outer container;
and sealing the slit by welding under reduced pressure.
A method for manufacturing an insulated container, comprising forming the slit along or near the contour of a recess provided in the bottom surface of the outer container.
[9] The method for manufacturing an insulated container according to [8], wherein the slit is formed along the outer periphery of a step portion that defines the contour of the recess.
[10] A ring-shaped recess is formed on the bottom surface of the outer container,
The method for manufacturing an insulated container described in [8] above, characterized in that the slit is formed along the inner periphery of a step portion that forms the inner contour of the recess.
[11] The method for manufacturing an insulated container according to any one of [8] to [10] above, characterized in that a plurality of the slits are formed along the contour of the recess or in the vicinity thereof.
[12] A method for manufacturing an insulated container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container, comprising:
forming a slit for degassing in the outer container;
and sealing the slit by welding under reduced pressure.
A method for manufacturing an insulated container, comprising forming the slits along the contour of a design consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures or a combination thereof .

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide an insulated container and a manufacturing method thereof that can make welding marks less noticeable when sealing deaeration slits by welding.

1 is a perspective view of a heat-insulating container according to a first embodiment of the present invention, seen from above. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from below. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom side of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 4 . 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from below. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a heat-insulating container according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom side of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a heat-insulating container according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the heat-insulating container shown in FIG. 11 . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an insulated container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a heat-insulating container 1A shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 5 and a method for manufacturing the same will be described.

Note that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insulated container 1A as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insulated container 1A as viewed from below. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1A. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom side of the insulated container 1A.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the insulated container 1A of this embodiment includes a metallic outer container 2 and an inner container 3, both of which are open at one end. The insulated container 1A has a vacuum insulation structure in which the open ends of the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 are joined together while the inner container 3 is housed inside the outer container 2, and a vacuum insulation layer 4 is provided between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3.

In this embodiment, the open ends of the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 are butted together, and the butted portion is joined by welding. Also, in FIG. 4, the butted portion (boundary) between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 is shown, but after joining, the butted portion is melted by welding, and a weld bead is formed around the entire circumference of the butted portion. Furthermore, this weld bead is ground and polished after welding to give it a smooth surface.

In addition to the commonly used stainless steel, metals such as titanium, aluminum, magnesium, or alloys of these are used for the outer container 2 and the inner container 3. In addition, a welding method such as laser welding is used to join the outer container 2 and the inner container 3.

The insulated container 1A of this embodiment has such a vacuum insulation structure, which allows it to have functions such as heat retention and cold retention. Furthermore, in the insulated container 1A, tension is always applied to the outer container 2 and inner container 3 due to the difference between the internal pressure (vacuum pressure) and the external pressure (atmospheric pressure), which increases the mechanical strength of the outer container 2 and inner container 3. As a result, even if the plate thickness of the outer container 2 and inner container 3 is reduced, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the insulated container 1A, and it is possible to reduce the weight of this insulated container 1A.

In this embodiment, the insulated container 1A is a container body with a lid, and the top opening of the insulated container 1A can be opened and closed by a lid (not shown) that is attached and detached to the insulated container 1A by screwing it on.

In addition, the insulated container 1A of this embodiment has an overall external shape of a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, but the external shape of the insulated container 1A is not particularly limited and can be modified as appropriate according to the size, design, etc. In addition, the outer surface of the outer container 2 may be painted, printed, etc.

In the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, a degassing slit S is formed in the bottom surface of the outer container 2, and the slit S is sealed by welding under reduced pressure to form a vacuum insulation layer 4 between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3.

The slits S can be formed, for example, by irradiating a laser beam. Also, the slits S can be sealed using a welding method such as laser welding.

The width of the slit S is preferably 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm, and more preferably 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. The width of the slit S is preferably 80% or less of the substrate thickness of the outer container 2, and more preferably 30% or less. On the other hand, if the width of the slit S exceeds 80% of the substrate thickness of the outer container 2, not only will it take a long time to seal the slit S, but it will no longer be possible to seal the slit S by melting the substrate itself of the outer container 2, and a filler material for sealing, such as a welding rod, will be required.

Note that in Figures 2 to 4, a slit S is shown, but after the slit S is sealed by welding, a weld bead will be formed along this slit S. In addition, this weld bead can be finished into a smooth surface by grinding and polishing after welding.

Therefore, the insulated container 1A of this embodiment has a weld mark on the bottom surface of the outer container 2 where the degassing slit S is sealed by welding. Although the weld mark is not shown, it is formed in the same position as the slit S.

In the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, in order to make the weld marks less noticeable, a slit S is formed along or near the outline of the recess 5 provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 2, and the slit S is sealed by welding to create a weld mark.

Specifically, this insulated container 1A has a recess 5 that is a circular recess in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2 when viewed from above. The slit S is provided along the contour of this recess 5 or its vicinity. Therefore, the weld marks are formed along the contour of the recess 5 or its vicinity.

As a result, in the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, the weld mark can be made less noticeable by following the contour of the recess 5 or its vicinity. In addition, since the recess 5 is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2, it is possible to avoid the risk of damage such as deformation of the welded part due to impact from being dropped, compared to the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the outer container 2, which is more likely to be hit if the insulated container 1A is dropped.

In the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, multiple (two in this embodiment) slits S are provided along the contour of the recess 5 or its vicinity. The two slits S are provided at symmetrical positions on the contour of the recess 5 or its vicinity.

In the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, by providing multiple such slits S, it is possible to shorten the time required to degas through these multiple slits S when forming the vacuum insulation layer 4. In addition, it is possible to make the weld marks after sealing the slits S by welding less noticeable than when one large slit is provided. Note that it is not necessary to provide multiple slits S, and in some cases it is sufficient to provide only one.

When the length of the slit S is formed in an arc shape along the contour or vicinity of the circular recess 5 formed on the bottom surface of the outer container 2 described above, the length varies depending on the radius of the recess 5, but it is preferable that the length be such that the angular range is 180° (half a circumference) or less, and it is particularly preferable that the angular range is 90° (1/4 circumference) or less.

If the angular range of the arc-shaped slit S exceeds 180° (half a circumference), the inner part of the bottom surface of the outer container 2 that sandwiches the slit S (the inner part of the recess 5) will be separated from the outer part (the outer part of the recess 5) and will be deformed so as to shift in the thickness direction of the substrate, making it difficult to seal the slit S in the next process.

In addition, in the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, a slit S is provided along the outer periphery of the step portion 6 that forms the outline of the recess 5 to make the weld marks less noticeable.

As shown enlarged in FIG. 5, the step portion 6 is a portion that connects the bottom surface of the outer container 2 and the bottom surface of the recessed portion 5. The outer peripheral side of the step portion 6 is curved in a convex shape at the connection portion 6a with the bottom surface of the outer container 2. The inner peripheral side of the step portion 6 is curved in a concave shape at the connection portion 6b with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 5. The slit S is provided along the connection portion 6a on the outer peripheral side of the step portion 6.

The step portion 6 is less deformed by the tension applied to the outer container 2 described above, and is therefore suitable for providing the slit S. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the step portion 6 is easier to grind and polish after welding than the inner periphery of the step portion 6.

On the other hand, the inner circumference side of the step portion 6 does not come into direct contact with the placement surface at the bottom of the outer container 2, so there is little risk of damage, and in some cases, a slit S may be provided along the connection portion 6b on the inner circumference side of the step portion 6.

When forming the slit S, the insulated container 1A is rotated around its central axis while laser light is irradiated along or near the contour of the recess 5 provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 2. This makes it possible to form the slit S along or near the contour of the recess 5 with high precision.

When sealing the slit S, the insulated container 1A before sealing is placed in a reduced pressure (vacuum) chamber, and the space between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 is degassed through the slit S. In this state, laser light is irradiated from the outside through a window provided in the chamber onto the insulated container 1A in the chamber.

At this time, while rotating the insulated container 1A around its central axis, laser light is irradiated along the slit S provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 2. This makes it possible to seal the slit S with high precision along the contour of the recess 5 or its vicinity.

The formation and sealing of the slit S may be achieved by moving the insulated container 1A relative to the fixed laser light irradiation position, or by scanning the fixed insulated container 1A with the laser light.

However, in the conventional method of sealing the degassing hole on the bottom of the outer container with brazing material in a reduced pressure (vacuum) chamber, it is necessary to heat the insulated container to melt the brazing material.

For example, if pure titanium, which is lighter than stainless steel, is used for the outer and inner containers, the brazing material suitable for pure titanium must be heated to about 800°C to melt it. In this case, the mechanical strength of the outer and inner containers is reduced by annealing, making it difficult to maintain the mechanical strength at the same thickness as stainless steel.

Therefore, with conventional sealing methods, it is necessary to make the outer and inner containers thicker than when stainless steel is used to ensure their mechanical strength.

In contrast, in the manufacturing method of the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, there is no need to heat the insulated container 1A when sealing the above-mentioned slit S, and when pure titanium is used for the outer container 2 and the inner container 3, annealing is not required. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the outer container 2 and the inner container 3. In addition, the power and time required to heat the insulated container 1A are not required.

As described above, in the insulated container 1A of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, it is possible to make the weld marks less noticeable.

In the above-mentioned insulated container 1A, a circular recess 5 is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2 described above, but the shape of the recess 5 is not necessarily limited to this shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to provide a recess 5A that is recessed in an oval shape in a plan view in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2.

In this case, too, a slit S is formed along the contour of the recess 5A or its vicinity, and this slit S is sealed by welding. In particular, in the recess 5A, a slit S is formed from one end of the straight portion of the oval to the other end of the slit S, and this slit S is sealed by welding, making it possible to make the weld marks even less noticeable.

Second Embodiment
Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a heat-insulating container 1B shown in, for example, FIGS. 7 to 10 and a method for manufacturing the same will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insulated container 1B from below. FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1B. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1B. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom side of the insulated container 1B. In the following explanation, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned insulated container 1A will not be described and will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the insulated container 1B of this embodiment has a recess 5B formed by recessing the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2 into a circular ring shape, and a protrusion 7 that is circular in plan view and located inside the recess 5B.

In the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, a slit S is provided along the contour of the recess 5B or its vicinity to make the weld marks less noticeable. Therefore, the weld marks are formed along the contour of the recess 5B or its vicinity.

As a result, in the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, the weld mark can be made less noticeable by following the contour of the recess 5B or its vicinity. In addition, since the recess 5B is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2, it is possible to avoid the risk of damage such as deformation of the welded part due to impact from being dropped, compared to the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the outer container 2, which is more likely to be hit if the insulated container 1B is dropped.

In the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, multiple (two in this embodiment) slits S are provided along the contour of the recess 5B or in its vicinity. The two slits S are provided at symmetrical positions on the contour of the recess 5B or in its vicinity.

In the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, by providing multiple such slits S, it is possible to shorten the time required to degas through these multiple slits S when forming the vacuum insulation layer 4. In addition, it is possible to make the weld marks after sealing the slits S by welding less noticeable than when one large slit is provided. Note that it is not necessary to provide multiple slits S, and in some cases it is sufficient to provide only one.

In the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, a slit S is provided along the inner periphery of the step portion 61 that forms the inner contour of the recess 5B to make the weld marks less noticeable.

As shown enlarged in FIG. 10, the step portion 61 is a portion that connects the protrusion 7 and the bottom surface of the recess 5B. The inner peripheral side of the step portion 61 is curved in a convex shape at the connection portion 6c with the protrusion 7. The outer peripheral side of the step portion 61 is curved in a concave shape at the connection portion 6d with the bottom surface of the recess 5B. The slit S is provided along the connection portion 6c on the inner peripheral side of the step portion 61.

The step portion 61 is less deformed by the tension applied to the outer container 2 described above, and is suitable for providing the slit S. Furthermore, the inner peripheral side of the step portion 61 is easier to grind and polish after welding than the outer peripheral side of the step portion 61.

On the other hand, the outer periphery of the step 61 does not come into direct contact with the placement surface at the bottom of the outer container 2, so there is little risk of damage. In some cases, a slit S may be provided along the connection portion 6d on the outer periphery of the step 61.

When forming the slit S, the insulated container 1B is rotated around its central axis while laser light is irradiated along or near the contour of the recess 5B provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 2. This makes it possible to form the slit S precisely along or near the contour of the recess 5B.

When sealing the slit S, the insulated container 1B before sealing is placed in a reduced pressure (vacuum) chamber, and the space between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 is evacuated through the slit S. In this state, laser light is irradiated from the outside through a window provided in the chamber onto the insulated container 1B in the chamber.

At this time, while rotating the insulated container 1B around its central axis, laser light is irradiated along the slit S provided on the bottom surface of the outer container 2. This makes it possible to seal the slit S with high precision along the contour of the recess 5B or its vicinity.

In the manufacturing method of the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, there is no need to heat the insulated container 1B when sealing the above-mentioned slit S, and when pure titanium is used for the outer container 2 and the inner container 3, annealing is not required. Therefore, it is possible to make the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 thin. In addition, the power and time required to heat the insulated container 1B are not required.

As described above, in the insulated container 1B of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, it is possible to make the weld marks less noticeable.

The above-mentioned insulated container 1B is configured with a slit S provided along the inner periphery of the step portion 61 that forms the inner contour of the above-mentioned recess 5B, but it is also possible to configure it with a slit S provided along the outer periphery of the step portion 62 that forms the outer contour of the recess 5B, similar to the above-mentioned insulated container 1A.

In addition, in the normal manufacturing process, after a slit S is made in one of the above-mentioned step portions 61, 62, this slit S is sealed by welding. However, if a defect occurs in this welded portion and the space between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 cannot be properly degassed, it is difficult to make a slit S again in the same welded portion and seal this slit S by welding due to the physical properties of the metal. In this case, the product is discarded as a defective product, which leads to a decrease in yield.

Therefore, if a defect occurs at a welded portion, it is preferable to make a slit S in the other of the above-mentioned step portions 61, 62, and then seal the slit S by welding. This eliminates the need to make a slit S again at the same welded portion, and also eliminates the need to discard the product as a defective product, making it possible to prevent a decrease in yield.

Furthermore, among the above-mentioned steps 61, 62, when the height of the inner step 61 (protrusion 7) is made lower than the height of the outer step 62 (bottom surface of the outer container 2), it is preferable to provide a slit S along the inner step 61. In this case, the outer step 62 (bottom surface of the outer container 2) comes into contact with the installation surface, and the inner step 61 (protrusion 7) does not come into contact with the installation surface, so it is possible to avoid the risk of damage such as deformation of the welded part due to contact with the installation surface.

In addition, in the above-mentioned insulated container 1B, a ring-shaped recess 5B is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the outer container 2 described above, and a protrusion 7 is provided inside the recess 5B. However, instead of the protrusion 7, it is also possible to provide a circular recess (not shown) in the center of the bottom surface of the recess 5B.

Third Embodiment
Next, as a third embodiment of the present invention, a heat-insulating container 1C shown in, for example, FIGS. 11 and 12 and a method for manufacturing the same will be described.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the insulated container 1C as seen from below. FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1C. In the following explanation, the same parts as those in the insulated container 1A will not be described and will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the insulated container 1C of this embodiment has a pattern F on the bottom surface of the recess 5 provided in the bottom surface of the outer container 2. The pattern F is composed of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or a combination of these.

In the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, a slit S is provided along the contour of the pattern F to make the weld marks less noticeable. Therefore, the weld marks are formed along the contour of the pattern F.

As a result, in the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, it is possible to make the weld marks less noticeable. In addition, because the pattern F is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 5, it is possible to avoid the risk of damage such as deformation due to impacts such as dropping, compared to the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the outer container 2.

In the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, multiple slits S may be provided along the contour of the pattern F. For example, in the pattern F, the "R, O" in "THERMOS" and the "0, 9" in "2020/92" are formed by dividing them into two slits S. The rest are formed by a single slit S.

In the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, by providing multiple slits S in accordance with the pattern F, it is possible to shorten the time required to degas through the multiple slits S when forming the vacuum insulation layer 4. Note that it is not necessary to provide the slits S along all of the patterns F, and it is possible to provide them along only some of the patterns F.

When forming the slit S, the laser light is irradiated while scanning along the pattern F provided on the bottom surface of the recess 5. The laser light may be scanned by scanning the insulated container 1C relative to a fixed laser light irradiation position, or may be scanned by scanning the laser light relative to the fixed insulated container 1C. This makes it possible to form the slit S precisely along the contour of the pattern F.

When sealing the slit S, the insulated container 1C before sealing is placed in a reduced pressure (vacuum) chamber, and the space between the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 is evacuated through the slit S. In this state, laser light is irradiated from the outside through a window provided in the chamber onto the insulated container 1C in the chamber.

At this time, the laser light is irradiated while scanning along the pattern F provided on the bottom surface of the recess 5. The laser light may be scanned by scanning the insulated container 1C relative to a fixed laser light irradiation position, or may be scanned by scanning the laser light relative to the fixed insulated container 1C. This makes it possible to seal the slit S with high precision along the contour of the pattern F.

In the manufacturing method of the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, since there is no need to heat the insulated container 1C, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the outer container 2 and the inner container 3 when pure titanium is used for them. In addition, the power and time required to heat the insulated container 1C are not required.

Furthermore, for example, when marking a lot number or a company logo on the bottom surface of the insulated container 1C, up until now, processes such as laser engraving or attaching a sticker with the lot number written on it have been required. In contrast, with the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, by making the design F into the shape of the lot number or company logo, these processes are unnecessary, making it possible to reduce costs.

As described above, in the insulated container 1C of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, it is possible to make the weld marks less noticeable.

The insulated container 1C has a slit S along the pattern F on the bottom surface of the recess 5 described above, but the pattern F is not limited to being on the bottom surface of the outer container 2, and can also be on the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the outer container 2. In this case, too, the slit S along the pattern F can be sealed by welding to make the weld marks less noticeable.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a heat insulating container 1D shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insulated container 1D. In the following explanation, the same parts as those in the insulated container 1A will not be described and will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 13, the insulated container 1D of this embodiment is configured such that the slits S (weld marks) are provided in a position that cannot be seen from the outside of the outer container 2.

Specifically, this insulated container 1D is equipped with a cover member (shoulder member) 10 attached to the entire upper end portion (shoulder portion) of the body of the outer container 2.

In the insulated container 1D of this embodiment, the outer container 2 covered by the cover member 10 has a weld mark located on the shoulder of the body of the outer container 2, where the degassing slit S is sealed by welding. As a result, the weld mark is covered by the cover member 10.

Therefore, in the insulated container 1D of this embodiment, when the degassing slit S is sealed by welding, it is possible to make the weld marks less noticeable (make them invisible by the cover member 10).

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the above embodiment illustrates the application of the insulated container of the present invention to the container body of the lidded container described above, but the present invention can be widely applied to insulated containers to which the present invention can be applied, such as beverage containers such as water bottles and mugs with heat/cold retention functions, and food containers and cooking utensils with heat retention functions.

1A, 1B, 1C... Insulated container 2... Outer container 3... Inner container 4... Vacuum insulation layer 5, 5A, 5B... Recess 6, 61, 62... Step 7... Convex 10... Shoulder member F... Design S... Slit

Claims (12)

A heat-insulating container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a deaeration slit provided on the bottom surface of the outer container by welding;
The insulated container is characterized in that the weld mark is provided along or near the outline of a recess provided in the bottom surface of the outer container. The insulated container according to claim 1, characterized in that the weld marks are provided along the outer periphery of the step portion that forms the contour of the recess. The recess is provided in a ring shape on the bottom surface of the outer container,
2. The insulated container according to claim 1, wherein the weld marks are provided along an inner periphery of a step portion that defines an inner contour of the recess. The insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the weld marks are provided in a plurality along the contour of the recess or in the vicinity thereof. A heat-insulating container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a degassing slit provided in the outer container by welding;
The insulated container is characterized in that the weld marks are provided along the outline of a design consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures or combinations thereof. A heat-insulating container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together in a state in which the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container,
a weld mark formed by sealing a deaeration slit provided in a shoulder portion of a body of the outer container by welding;
An insulated container, characterized in that the weld mark is covered by a cover member attached to the entire circumference of the shoulder portion . The insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outer container and the inner container are made of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof. A method for manufacturing an insulated container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together while the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container, comprising:
forming a slit for deaeration on the bottom surface of the outer container;
and sealing the slit by welding under reduced pressure.
A method for manufacturing an insulated container, comprising forming the slit along or near the contour of a recess provided in the bottom surface of the outer container. The method for manufacturing an insulated container according to claim 8, characterized in that the slit is formed along the outer periphery of the step portion that defines the contour of the recess. A ring-shaped recess is formed on the bottom surface of the outer container,
9. The method for manufacturing an insulated container according to claim 8, wherein the slit is formed along an inner periphery of a step portion that defines an inner contour of the recess. The method for manufacturing an insulated container according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a plurality of the slits are formed along the contour of the recess or in the vicinity thereof. A method for manufacturing an insulated container having an outer container and an inner container made of metal, each having an open end, the open ends of which are joined together while the inner container is housed inside the outer container, and a vacuum insulation layer is provided between the outer container and the inner container, comprising:
forming a slit for degassing in the outer container;
and sealing the slit by welding under reduced pressure.
A method for manufacturing an insulated container, comprising forming the slits along the contour of a design consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures or a combination thereof.

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