Patent Publication Number: US-2006011630-A1

Title: Thermal container

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation application and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/337,953, filed Jan. 7, 2003, which claims priority in co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/347,309, filed Jan. 10, 2002 and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/367,137, filed Mar. 22, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to one or more containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to one or more thermally insulated containers.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Automatic drip brewing devices are known in the art. These devices require an open passage that allows the brewed beverage to flow from the brewing device to the container and an open passage for dispensing the brewed beverage from the container. However, the open passage also allows unwanted heat loss, typically by steam passing back through the open passage.  
      The present invention relates to an improved container that substantially eliminates heat loss through the open passage. The present invention provides a container with a cover that remains thermally, sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of the container, and provides for filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a container.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide such a container that is thermally insulated.  
      It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a container that has a cover that is thermally, sealingly engaged and remains on the container.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container that allows filling and dispensing of a substance without removal of the cover.  
      It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a container that substantially eliminates heat loss by allowing the filling and dispensing of the container through filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use.  
      These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a container having a lid that remains thermally, sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of the container, and has filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use. The filling channel is thermally sealed using a floating ball, and the dispensing channel is thermally sealed using a rolling ball. Also, the dispensing channel can be thermally sealed using a flat, pivoting valve that opens under the force of gravity.  
      The present invention provides a container having a body defining an inner volume; a handle that can be secured to the body; a lid that can be sealingly secured to the body; a passageway formed in the body, the lid or both, and connected between the inner volume and atmosphere; and a valve operably connected to the passageway. The valve provides either fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the passageway or fluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the passageway. The valve also operates without manual actuation.  
      The present invention also includes a container having a body defining an inner volume; a handle that can be, and preferably is, secured to the body; a lid that can be sealingly secured to the body; a first passageway formed in the body, the lid or both, and connected between the inner volume and atmosphere; a first valve operably connected to the first passageway; a second passageway formed in the body, the lid or both, and connected between the inner volume and the atmosphere; and a second valve operably connected to the second Passageway. The first valve provides either fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the first passageway or fluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the first passageway. The second valve provides either fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the second passageway or fluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the second passageway. Also, the first and second valves operate without manual actuation.  
      The present invention additionally includes a container having a body defining an inner volume; a lid that can be sealingly secured to the body; a filling channel formed or provided in the lid and connected between the inner volume and atmosphere; a filling valve operably connected to the filling channel; a dispensing channel formed or provided in the lid and connected between the inner volume and the atmosphere; and a dispensing valve operably connected to the dispensing channel. The filling valve has an actuated position that provides fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the filling channel and a non-actuated position that provides fluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the filling channel. The dispensing valve has an actuated position that provides fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the dispensing channel and a non-actuated position that provides fluid isolation between the inner volume and the atmosphere through the dispensing channel. The filling valve is actuated by the liquid being filled into the inner volume and the dispensing valve is actuated by tilting of the container.  
      The lid can have a retaining ring and a cover. The retaining ring can be secured to the body and the cover can be selectively secured to the retaining ring. The filling and dispensing channels can be formed through the cover. The cover can be threadingly secured to the retaining ring. The valves can be actuated by gravity when the container is tilted. The valves can be floating balls. The container can also have a guiding member, in which the valves are slidably connected to the guiding member to allow only substantially linear movement of the valves. The container can additionally have a vent that provides fluid communication between the inner volume and the atmosphere independent of actuation of the valves. The body can have an inner wall and an outer wall with a space or vacuum disposed between the walls.  
      The dispensing valve can have a sealing member that is pivotally secured adjacent to the dispensing channel. The dispensing valve can be movable between the actuated position in which the sealing member unseals the dispensing channel and the non-actuated position in which the sealing member seals the dispensing channel. The sealing member can be substantially flat. The body can have a longitudinal axis, and the filling channel can have a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. The first opening can be disposed farther away from the longitudinal axis than the second opening. The container can have a spout in fluid communication with the dispensing channel. The spout can be disposed on the retaining ring. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a container of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a container of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the container of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 5 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 5 , taken along line B-B of  FIG. 5 ; and  
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the container of  FIG. 5 . 
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to the figures and, in particular, to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is provided a container generally represented by reference numeral  10 . Container  10  has a body  20 , a lid  100  that can be removably secured to the body, and a handle  200  that is preferably secured to the body.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , body  20  is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. Body  20  has an opening  25  through which a substance may enter and exit container  10 . Preferably, body  20  has a hollow area or inner volume  27  of about 1.5 liters. However, the inner volume  27  can have a smaller or larger capacity. Opening  25  is preferably circular but can be other shapes depending upon the shape of body  20 . Body  20  has an outer wall  30  and an inner wall  40 . Outer wall  30  and inner wall  40  are separated to define therebetween a thermal space  50 . Preferably, thermal space  50  provides a vacuum between outer and inner walls  30 ,  40  for improved thermal insulation of container  10 . Outer and inner walls  30 ,  40  are preferably made of stainless steel. While this embodiment uses a double wall design, i.e., outer wall  30 , inner wall  40  and thermal space  50 , to provide thermal insulation to inner volume  27 , alternative designs can also be used to thermally insulate container  10 .  
      Lid  100  can allow a substance, in this example a brewed liquid such as coffee, to flow through the lid and into inner volume  27  of body  20  without removal of the lid. Lid  100  has a rim  120  and a cover  150 . Rim  120  and inner wall  40  are configured and sized for sealing engagement. In the embodiment shown, rim  120  snap fits into sealing engagement with inner wall  40 . A seal  125  is positioned between rim  120  and inner wall  40  to prevent any leakage of liquid or loss of heat. Preferably, seal  125  is a soft durometer gasket. Preferably, rim  120  and cover  150  are made from thermoplastic material.  
      Cover  150  is sealingly secured to rim  120  to prevent leakage and heat loss. Preferably, cover  150  is threadingly secured to rim  120  by threads on the exterior surface of cover  150 , which mate with threads on the interior surface of opening  122  of the rim.  
      Cover  150  has a filling channel  160  and a dispensing channel  180 . In the embodiment shown, separate channels  160 ,  180  are used for the filling and dispensing operations of container  10 . However, a single channel can be used for the filling and dispensing operations of container  10 . Also, more than two channels can be used for the filling and dispensing operations of container  10 .  
      Preferably, filling channel  160  is substantially concave having an arcuate cup-like shape. However, filling channel  160  can have other shapes including frusto-conical. Filling channel  160  has a filling valve  165 , a filling seat  170  and a filling hole  175 . Preferably, filling valve  165  is a ball. Filling ball  165  has a specific gravity that allows it to float in filling channel  160  when a liquid, in this example a brewed substance such as coffee, is introduced into the filling channel. The concave or arcuate shape of filling channel  160  facilitates holding of the liquid as it is introduced into the filling channel and creates a slope for filling ball  165  to rest back upon filling seat  170  as described below. In this embodiment, one ball is used for filling valve  165 . However, alternatively, a plurality of balls can also be used for filling valve  165 , as well as a plurality of filling seats  170 .  
      Preferably, filling ball  165  is made from plastic. When filling ball  165  floats, it is raised above filling seat  170 . Thus, filling hole  175  is opened and the liquid flows through filling channel  160  into container  10 . In this embodiment, filling hole  175  is substantially cylindrical in shape to facilitate the flow of the liquid from filling channel  160  through filling hole  175 . Once all of the liquid is introduced into container  10 , filling ball  165  will cease floating and will rest back upon filling seat  170  due to the concave or arcuate shape of filling channel  160  and gravity. Filling hole  175  has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of filling ball  165  to prevent the filling ball from passing fully through the filling hole and to allow a sealing engagement. Preferably, filling ball  165  has the same or similar shape as filling seat  170  to allow a sealing engagement therebetween. This creates a sealing engagement of filling hole  175  that prevents heat loss through filling channel  160 .  
      Container  10  further has a filling orifice  550  positioned downstream from filling hole  175 . Preferably, filling orifice  550  is offset from filling hole  175  toward handle  200 . Offsetting filling orifice  500  from filling hole  175  towards handle  200  minimizes the risk of any back flow of the liquid through filling channel  160  when container  10  is tilted for pouring.  
      Dispensing channel  180  has a dispensing valve  185 , a lower seat  190 , a lower hole  192 , an upper seat  195 , and an upper hole  197 . Preferably, dispensing valve  185  is a ball. However, dispensing valve  185  can also be other one-way valves that prevent heat loss through dispensing channel  180 . In this embodiment, one ball is used for dispensing valve  185 . However, alternatively, a plurality of balls can also be used for dispensing valve  185 . When container  10  is in an upright position, dispensing ball  185  rests on lower seat  190 . Lower hole  192  has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of dispensing ball  185  to prevent the dispensing ball from passing fully through the lower hole and to allow a sealing engagement. Preferably, dispensing ball  185  has the same or similar shape as lower seat  190  to allow a sealing engagement. In this embodiment, lower seat  190  has a circular shape that facilitates sealing engagement with the spherical shape of dispensing ball  185 . This creates a sealing engagement of dispensing ball  185  and lower hole  192 . Thus, heat loss through dispensing channel  180  is prevented.  
      Dispensing channel  180  preferably has an angled or sloped shape. When container  10  is tilted for pouring or dispensing of the liquid, dispensing ball  185  is dislodged from lower seat  192  and moves along angled or sloped dispensing channel  180  towards upper hole  197  due to gravity. Dispensing ball  185  rests upon upper seat  195  due to the shape of dispensing channel  180  and the force of gravity (the position of dispensing ball  185  is depicted by broken lines  185 ′). Upper hole  197  has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of dispensing ball  185  to prevent the dispensing ball from fully passing through the upper hole. Upper hole  197  and upper seat  195  have a different shape than dispensing ball  185  to allow the liquid to flow around the periphery of the dispensing ball and through the upper hole. Upper hole  197  and upper seat  195  can have an elliptical shape that provides a gap about the periphery of the spherical dispensing ball  185 . Thus, the liquid flows through dispensing channel  180  when container  10  is tilted.  
      Lid  100  preferably has a vent hole  155 . However, alternative venting means may be utilized including positioning vent hole  155  along body  20 . Vent hole  155  permits air to exit and enter container  10  during the filling and dispensing operations. Thus, vent hole  155  prevents container  10  from becoming air bound or creating an internal vacuum and hindering the transfer of the liquid. Significantly, lid  100  does not require any opening to fill container  10  or to dispense a substance from container  10 .  
      Handle  200  facilitates lifting and pouring of container  10 . Preferably, handle  200  extends vertically along outer wall  30 . More preferably, handle  200  has a curved shape that is similar to the curvature of outer wall  30 . Preferably, handle  200  is made from a thermoplastic material. In this embodiment, handle  200  is secured to body  20  by a screw  210  positioned at the bottom of the handle and a hook  220  positioned at the top of the handle. Rim  120  has a receptacle (not shown) for receipt and engagement with hook  220 . Alternative positioning and securing methods for handle  200  can also be used, including providing removability of the handle or securing the handle to a different portion of container  10 .  
      Container  10  also has a spout  300 . Spout  300  is in fluid communication with dispensing channel  180  as shown clearly in  FIG. 2  to facilitate and direct the liquid as it is poured from container  10 .  
      Container  10  provides for thermal sealing of inner volume  27  without manual actuation of any valves, i.e., a user does not need to actuate any valve by hand in order to thermally seal the inner volume. Container  10  allows for filling or dispensing the contents of inner volume  27  while automatically thermally sealing the inner volume before and after the filling or dispensing operation. Lid  100  remains thermally, sealingly engaged with body  20  during either the filling or dispensing operation.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of the container of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral  1000 , with features that are similar to the features of container  10  being represented by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, container  1000  also has a disk  400 . Disk  400  is preferably vacuum brazed to the bottom of outer wall  30 . This provides an advantage of a lower profile at the bottom of container  10  and simplifies the manufacturing process.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , an alternative embodiment of the container of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral  2000 , with features that are similar to the features of container  10  being represented by the same reference numerals. Lid  100  has a filling channel  1600 , a filling ball  1650 , a filling seat  1700  and a filling hole  1750 .  
      Similar to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , filling ball  1650  has a specific gravity that allows it to float in filling channel  1600  when a liquid is introduced into the filling channel. When filling ball  1650  floats, it is raised above filling seat  1700 . Thus, filling hole  1750  is opened and the liquid flows through filling channel  1600  into container  2000 .  
      Container  2000  has a filling orifice  5500  positioned downstream from filling hole  1750 . Preferably, filling orifice  5500  is offset from filling hole  1750  toward handle  200 . Offsetting filling orifice  5500  from filling hole  1750  towards handle  200  minimizes the risk of any back flow of the liquid through filling channel  1600  when container  2000  is tilted for pouring.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , filling valve  1650  is a ball with an oval shape. The oval shape of filling ball  1650  provides for a larger area for floatation without the need for increasing the height of the filling area. The larger area of floatation allows filling ball  1650  to sealingly engage a larger filling seat  1700  that allows for increased flow through filling hole  1750 .  
      Filling ball  1650  has a channel  500  formed therein. Preferably, channel  500  is substantially centrally located in floating ball  1650 . Lid  100  also has a floating projection or guiding member  510  extending downwardly towards floating ball  1650 . Floating projection  510  is positioned above and aligned with channel  500  to allow the projection to slide into the channel. This permits vertical movement of floating ball  1650  when a liquid is introduced into filling channel  1600  but prevents or limits horizontal movement of the floating ball.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , lid  100  has a dispensing channel  1800 , a dispensing valve  1850 , a dispensing seat  1900 , and a dispensing hole  1920 . Dispensing valve  1850  is a flat valve having a first end  520  and a second end  530 . First end  520  is pivotally connected to lid  100 . Second end  530  is free to swing about the pivot point of first end  520 . In this embodiment, dispensing valve  1850  has an L shape with first end  520  being positioned higher than second end  530 .  
      When container  2000  is in an upright position, dispensing valve  1850  rests on dispensing seat  1900 . Dispensing hole  1920  has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of dispensing valve  1850  to allow a sealing engagement. Thus, heat loss through dispensing channel  1800  is prevented.  
      When container  2000  is tilted for pouring of the liquid, the force of gravity causes dispensing valve  1850  to swing about the pivot point of first end  520 . Thus, dispensing valve  1850  is pivoted away from dispensing seat  1900  and dispensing hole  1920  is opened. The liquid can then flow through dispensing channel  1800 .  
      It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.  
      Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances as defined in the appended claims.