U.S. patent application number 10/082198 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for double-walled metallic vacuum container.
Invention is credited to Fujiyama, Mamoru, Kanno, Takeo, Komino, Osamu, Urata, Shinichi.
Application Number | 20020125258 10/082198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26610535 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020125258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanno, Takeo ; et
al. |
September 12, 2002 |
Double-walled metallic vacuum container
Abstract
A metallic double-walled vacuum container is provided which
improves heat insulating property and resistance to vibration. It
has a metallic inner shell and an outer shell. The end face of the
inner shell is constricted so as to rise inwardly. The inner end of
a mouth pipe is inserted into and joined to the constricted portion
to form a mouth portion of the inner shell and the outer end of the
mouth pipe is joined to the outer shell.
Inventors: |
Kanno, Takeo; (Osaka,
JP) ; Urata, Shinichi; (Osaka, JP) ; Fujiyama,
Mamoru; (Osaka, JP) ; Komino, Osamu; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
26610535 |
Appl. No.: |
10/082198 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2201/035 20130101;
F17C 2205/032 20130101; F17C 2203/0636 20130101; F17C 2203/0395
20130101; F17C 2260/011 20130101; F17C 2201/0109 20130101; F17C
2203/0629 20130101; F17C 2203/0643 20130101; F17C 2205/0196
20130101; F17C 3/08 20130101; F17C 2260/033 20130101; F17C
2205/0305 20130101; F17C 2209/228 20130101; F17C 2203/0391
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.28 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/72 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2001 |
JP |
2001-58637 |
Nov 20, 2001 |
JP |
2001-354990 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A metallic double-walled vacuum container comprising a metallic
inner shell, a metallic outer shell having a mouth portion and an
end face at an open side, a space formed between said inner and
outer shells being evacuated, said inner shell having an end face
at an open side constricted to form a constricted portion rising
inwardly, a mouth pipe having an inner end thereof inserted into
and joined to said constricted portion, said mouth pipe having an
outer end thereof joined to the mouth portion of said outer
shell.
2. The metallic double-walled vacuum container as claimed in claim
1 wherein an annular hollow space is provided around said
constricted portion by providing the end face of said inner shell
close to the end face of said outer shell.
3. The metallic double-walled vacuum container as claimed in claim
1 or 2 wherein a heat insulating member for preventing direct
contact of said inner shell with said outer shell is provided on
the outer periphery of at least one of the top and bottom ends of
the trunk of said inner shell.
4. A metallic double-walled vacuum container comprising a metallic
inner shell having a mouth portion, a metallic outer shell having a
mouth portion, the mouth portion of said inner shell being joined
to the mouth portion of said outer shell, a space formed between
said inner and outer shells being evacuated, a plug member fitted
in the mouth portion of said inner shell, a presser plate in
abutment with said plug member, and a bracket fixed to the outer
periphery of said outer shell, said presser plate being coupled to
said bracket.
5. A metallic double-walled vacuum container comprising a metallic
inner shell having a mouth portion, a metallic outer shell having a
mouth portion, the mouth portion of said inner shell being joined
to the mouth portion of said outer shell, a space formed between
said inner and outer shells being evacuated, said outer shell
having a cylindrical portion at lower end of its mouth portion,
said cylindrical portion being disposed around the mouth portion of
said inner shell and having its lower end joined to the mouth
portion of said inner shell, a plug member fitted in the mouth
portion of said inner shell, a presser plate in abutment with said
plug member, and a bracket fixed to the outer periphery of said
outer shell, said presser plate being coupled to said bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a metallic double-walled vacuum
container.
[0002] As shown in FIG. 13A, a conventional metallic vacuum
container is of a double-walled structure having an inner shell 1
and an outer shell 2 and made of a metal such as stainless steel.
The inner shell 1 has a mouth portion 5 protruding outwardly
(downwardly in the figure) from an end face 4 thereof. The outer
peripheral surface of the mouth portion 5 at its tip is joined to a
mouth portion 10 of the outer shell 2. The hollow space between the
inner and outer shells 1 and 2 is evacuated through an evacuating
tip 6. As an example of use, an arrangement is shown in which a
plug 7 is inserted in the inner shell mouth portion 5, a liquid
inlet 8 and a liquid outlet 9 are provided in the plug 7, and an
overflow pipe 11 is connected to the inner end of the liquid outlet
9 (JP utility model publication 7-27430).
[0003] Further, 12 designates a heat-insulating metallic foil, 13 a
getter for drawing residual gas, and 14 a bracket. The overflow
pipe 11 is connected to the plug 7 through a holder 11'. The
bracket 14 is welded to the end face 3 of the outer shell 2 and a
presser plate 23 for the plug 7 is fixed to the bracket 14.
[0004] The vacuum container is used e.g. as a heat accumulator, and
with the trunk portion of the outer shell 2 fixed to the container
body, liquid heated to a predetermined temperature is supplied
through the liquid inlet 8. The liquid is kept hot inside, and by
supplying additional liquid through the liquid inlet 8 as
necessary, the liquid kept hot is discharged to outside through the
liquid outlet 9 via the overflow pipe 11.
[0005] In such a vacuum double-walled container, as a means for
increasing heat insulating property, it is preferable to prolong
the inner shell mouth portion 5 because the heat insulating
distance is increased. But provided the trunk diameter and the
container height are the same, the volume decreases by an amount
corresponding to the increase in the length of the inner shell
mouth portion 5 (see chain line in FIG. 13A). Also, in use, if a
vibrating load acts on the container body, crack may develop in the
welded portion of the bracket 14. This is because vibration of the
inner shell 1, which resonates with the vibration of the device
body, is transmitted to the end face 3 of the outer shell 2 through
the mouth portion 5 of the inner shell 1.
[0006] On the other hand, in order to increase heat insulating
property, it is conceivable to reduce the diameter of the mouth
portion 5 of the inner shell 1. But drawing is time-consuming and
increases the cost.
[0007] In order to avoid drawing, as shown in FIG. 13B, a combined
structure is feasible in which the mouth portion 5 is formed by a
mouth pipe 16, which is a separate member from the inner shell 1
and is welded to the end face 4 of the inner shell 1.
[0008] But if such a double-walled vacuum container as in FIG. 13B
is used in the manner as described above, one problem is that when
a vibrating load is produced, crack may develop at the welded
portion between the mouth pipe 16 and the end face 4 of the inner
shell 1.
[0009] An object of this invention is to provide a metallic
double-walled vacuum container which does not cause a reduction in
volume even if the mouth portion of the inner shell is lengthened,
and which has an increased strength against vibrating loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to this invention, there is provided a metallic
double-walled vacuum container comprising a metallic inner shell, a
metallic outer shell having a mouth portion and an end face at an
open side, a space formed between the inner and outer shells being
evacuated, the inner shell having an end face at an open side
constricted to form a constricted portion rising inwardly, a mouth
pipe having an inner end thereof inserted into and joined to the
constricted portion, the mouth pipe having an outer end thereof
joined to the mouth portion of the outer shell.
[0011] With this arrangement, it is possible to lengthen the mouth
portion by an amount equal to the rising amount of the constricted
portion formed on the inner shell. The heat insulating property is
increased correspondingly. Also, the joint portion of the mouth
pipe to the inner shell is supported by the constricted portion
provided on the inner shell. Since the constricted portion allows
deformation, vibrating loads transferred to the mouth pipe is
absorbed by the constricted portion. This prevents cracking of the
joint portion of the mouth pipe.
[0012] Also, by providing the end face of the inner shell close to
the end face of the outer shell, an annular hollow space may be
provided around the constricted portion. With this arrangement, the
mouth portion of the inner shell lengthens, so that the heat
insulating property improves. Also the volume of the entire
container can be increased by an amount equal to the volume of the
annular hollow space.
[0013] A heat insulating member for preventing direct contact of
the inner shell with the outer shell may be provided on the outer
periphery of the top and/or bottom end of the trunk of the inner
shell. With this arrangement, it is possible to shut off heat
transfer due to direct contact and to prevent generation of
metal-to-metal contact sound.
[0014] As another means for achieving the object of increasing
strength against vibrating loads, according to this invention,
there is also provided a metallic double-walled vacuum container
comprising a metallic inner shell having a mouth portion, a
metallic outer shell having a mouth portion, the mouth portion of
the inner shell being joined to the mouth portion of the outer
shell, a space formed between the inner and outer shells being
evacuated, a plug member fitted in the mouth portion of the inner
shell, a presser plate in abutment with the plug member, and a
bracket fixed to the outer periphery of the outer shell, the
presser plate being coupled to the bracket.
[0015] With this arrangement, since the bracket is fixed to the
outer peripheral surface of the outer shell, which is at a position
remote from the end face of the outer shell, which tends to be
subjected to vibration, cracking at the welded portion due to
vibration is prevented.
[0016] Further, as another means for achieving the object of
increasing strength against vibrating loads, there is also provided
a metallic double-walled vacuum container comprising a metallic
inner shell having a mouth portion, a metallic outer shell having a
mouth portion, the mouth portion of the inner shell being joined to
the mouth portion of the outer shell, a space formed between the
inner and outer shells being evacuated, the outer shell having a
cylindrical portion at lower end of its mouth portion, the
cylindrical portion being disposed around the mouth portion of the
inner shell and having its lower end joined to the mouth portion of
the inner shell, a plug member fitted in the mouth portion of the
inner shell, a presser plate in abutment with the plug member, and
a bracket fixed to the outer periphery of the outer shell, the
presser plate being coupled to the bracket.
[0017] With this arrangement, vibration acting on the welded
portion of the bracket is absorbed at the cylindrical portion of
the outer shell. Thus cracking is prevented.
[0018] Other features and objects of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description made with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a presser plate of the
same;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a presser plate of the
same;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a sixth embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of semi-annular brackets of
the same;
[0028] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a presser plate of the
same;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a seventh embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a presser plate of the
same;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an eighth embodiment; and
[0032] FIGS. 13A and 13B are sectional views of a conventional
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Hereinbelow, the embodiments of this invention will be
described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0034] The first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises, as with the
above-described conventional one, an inner shell 1 and an outer
shell 2, both made of a metal such as stainless steel. The inner
shell 1 has a mouth portion 5 formed by providing a constricted
portion 15 rising inwardly in a tapered manner by a height H at the
central portion of an end face 4 of the inner shell 1 and around an
opening, inserting the inner end of a metallic mouth pipe 16 into a
top opening 21 of the constricted portion 15 and joining it by
welding, and joining by welding the outer end of the mouth pipe 16
to a mouth portion 10 of the outer shell 2 as with the conventional
container.
[0035] Otherwise, this embodiment is the same as the conventional
container in that air between the inner and outer shells is
evacuated through the evacuating tip 6, that a metal foil 12 for
heat insulation covers the inner shell 1, that the getter 13 is
mounted, that the bracket 14 is fixed to the end face 3 of the
outer shell 2 by welding, and that the presser plate 23 for the
plug 7 is coupled to the bracket 14.
[0036] In the structure of the first embodiment, compared with the
conventional one, since the mouth portion 5 of the inner shell 1 is
lengthened by an amount equal to the height H of the constricted
portion 15, the heat insulating effect increases correspondingly.
Also, the joint portion at the top end of the mouth pipe 16 is
supported by the tapered constricted portion 15 provided at the end
face 4 of the inner shell 1. Since the constricted portion 15
allows deformation, vibration transmitted from the inner shell 1 to
the mouth pipe 16 is absorbed at the constricted portion 15. As a
result, formation of cracks in the joint portion between the mouth
pipe 16 and the top end 21 of the constricted portion 15 is
prevented.
[0037] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the end face 4 of
the inner shell 1 is formed deeper by a distance H' downwardly than
in the conventional one (shown by chain line) so as to be closer to
the end face 3 of the outer shell 2. The second embodiment is the
same as the first embodiment in that at the end face 4, a tapered
constricted portion 15 is provided to rise inwardly, that the inner
end of the mouth pipe 16 is inserted into and joined to the top end
21, and that the bottom end of the mouth pipe 16 is joined to the
mouth portion 10 of the end face 3 of the outer shell 2 to form the
mouth portion 5 of the inner shell 1, and in other structures.
[0038] With this arrangement, as with the first embodiment, since
the mouth portion 5 is prolonged by the amount equal to the height
H of the constricted portion 15, the heat insulating property
improves. Also, the constricted portion 15 improves the vibration
absorbing property at the joint portion between the mouth pipe 16
and the top end 21 of the constricted portion 15. Also, the volume
of the entire container increases by the amount equal to the
annular space 17 having a height H'.
[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, by sticking heat insulating
members 19 to the top and bottom ends of a trunk portion 18 of the
inner shell 1 over the entire circumference thereof, it is possible
to prevent direct contact between the outer shell 2 and the inner
shell 1, insulate heat and prevent sounding. The inner shell 1 and
the outer shell 2 may be in close contact with each other through
the heat insulating members 19. The heat insulating members may be
provided not over the entire circumference but only at several
points spaced in the circumferential direction.
[0040] In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, by providing the
mouth pipe 16 with a corrugated portion 20, heat insulating effect
is increased without increasing the entire length of the mouth pipe
16.
[0041] Next, the vacuum container of the fourth embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the prior art shown in FIG. 13A in that
the evacuating tip 6 is provided on top of the outer shell 2, and
that a cover cap 22 is fixed by welding to the outer shell 2 to
cover it. But it is essentially the same in other structures. Thus,
the same numerals are attached to identical parts and their
description is omitted.
[0042] In this embodiment, a plurality of radial leg pieces 24
(FIG. 5) are provided on a circular presser plate 23 which is
pressed against the bottom end of the plug 7. The presser plate 23
is formed with two holes 8' and 9' so as to align with the liquid
inlet 8 and liquid outlet 9, respectively. In the tip of each leg
piece 24, a hole 25 for coupling is formed.
[0043] Four L-shaped brackets 26 corresponding to the leg pieces 24
are arranged on the trunk portion of the outer shell 2 at equal
angular intervals and have their upper ends joined to the trunk
portion. The bottom ends of the respective brackets 26 protrude
beyond the end face 3, superposed on the tip portions of the
respective leg pieces 24, and fixed together by screws 27. While
the brackets 26 are described as four separate members, they may be
a single annular member having an L-shaped section.
[0044] With this arrangement, since the brackets 26 are welded to
the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 2, at a position
remote from the mouth portion of the container, which tends to be
influenced by vibration of the inner shell 1, cracking at the
welding portion is prevented.
[0045] The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the fourth
embodiment in the shape of the presser plate 23 and the manner of
coupling. As shown in FIG. 7, the presser plate 23 in this
embodiment is provided with protrusions 28 at quadrisected
positions on its peripheral edge and a rope hole 29 is formed in
each protrusion 28. Also, L-shaped brackets 30 are welded to the
outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 2. By passing ropes 31
between the brackets 30 and the protrusions 28 through the rope
holes 29 and tightening the ropes, the brackets 30 and the presser
plate 23 are fixed together. With this arrangement, as in the
fourth embodiment, cracking at the welded portions of the brackets
30 is prevented.
[0046] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B, instead
of the brackets 30, a pair of semi-annular brackets 32 have one end
thereof coupled by a hinge 34', fitted in an annular groove 33
formed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 2, and
coupled together by a bolt 34 with a nut (FIG. 9A). Ropes 37 are
passed between rope holes 36 formed in protrusions 35 provided on
the the semi-annular brackets 32 and rope holes 29 formed in the
presser plate 23 (FIG. 9B) and are tightened to couple them
together. In this embodiment, there is no need to weld the brackets
32 to the outer shell 2, so that cracking will not occur.
[0047] In the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, belt
holes 39 are formed in protrusions 38 provided on the presser plate
23, and a belt 41 is passed over the outer shell 2 and the cover
cap 22 between two opposed belt holes 39 to tighten them together.
In this embodiment, too, since there is no welded portion, cracking
will not occur.
[0048] In the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the inner portion
of the end face 3 of the outer shell 2 is constricted to provide a
cylindrical portion 42, which is fitted around the inner shell
mouth portion 5 with a predetermined gap and joined directly to the
mouth portion 5. But it may be indirectly joined through an
interposed member.
[0049] The bracket 14 in this embodiment is, as with the first
embodiment (FIG. 1), joined to the end face 3 of the outer shell 2
around the cylindrical portion 42 by welding. In this embodiment,
since vibration is absorbed and relaxed by the cylindrical portion
42, cracking at the welded portion of the bracket 14 is
prevented.
[0050] As described above, according to this invention, since the
length of the mouth portion is increased by an amount equal to the
height of the inwardly directed constricted portion provided on the
inner shell, the heat insulating property improves and the
durability against vibrating loads on the inner shell end face
increases. Also, by forming the end face of the inner shell so as
to be deeper toward the outer shell, it is possible to increase the
container volume by an amount equal to the annular hollow space
formed around the constricted portion.
[0051] Further, by providing the brackets coupled to the plug
presser plate at a position where they are less liable to be
affected by vibration, employing means for fixing the plug presser
plate without such brackets, or providing the cylindrical portion
at the lower portion of the outer shell, it is possible to improve
durability against vibrating loads.
* * * * *