U.S. patent application number 10/229079 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-13 for heat-insulating container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sakai, Yasuo, Tanaka, Masahiko.
Application Number | 20030047480 10/229079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19096885 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030047480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka, Masahiko ; et
al. |
March 13, 2003 |
Heat-insulating container
Abstract
A heat-insulating container (1) comprises a disc-shaped upper
lid (10), a disc-shaped lower lid (20) and a cylindrical sidewall
portion (30) which are all made of a synthetic resin foam. The
cylindrical sidewall portion (30) is made up of two or more
separate pieces (31) divided along the circumference. When
necessary, the entire container is accommodated in a container
protector (50) to ensure its strength. The heat-insulating
container (1) allows the temperature of a heat-insulated item to be
controlled below a preferable temperature for a long time. When not
used as a heat-insulating container, its entire volume can be
reduced, thereby allowing the space required for its distribution
or storage to be reduced. Since the container is made up of a
plurality of parts, molding costs can be reduced.
Inventors: |
Tanaka, Masahiko; (Ibaraki,
JP) ; Sakai, Yasuo; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
19096885 |
Appl. No.: |
10/229079 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/521 ;
220/592.25; 62/372 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/083 20130101;
B65D 11/02 20130101; B65D 81/3804 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/521 ;
220/592.25; 62/372 |
International
Class: |
B65D 081/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2001 |
JP |
271363/2001 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heat-insulating container comprising a disc-shaped upper lid,
a disc-shaped lower lid, and a cylindrical sidewall portion which
are all made of a synthetic resin foam, wherein the cylindrical
sidewall portion comprises two or more separate pieces divided
along the circumference.
2. A heat-insulating container according to claim 1, wherein the
separate pieces are combined with one another via abutting surfaces
formed on each separate piece, the abutting surfaces comprising a
convex portion formed on one surface engaging a concave portion
formed on the other surface, and the circumferential length of each
separate piece is set such that no two abutting portions are
located in a vertical virtual plane slicing along a center line of
the cylinder.
3. A heat-insulating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the cylindrical sidewall portion has a rib protruding radially
inwardly, the heat-insulating container further comprising a
central bedding with such dimensions as to be locked by the
rib.
4. A heat-insulating container according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion is also divided into two
or more stages along the center line.
5. A heat-insulating container according to any one of claims 1 to
4, further comprising a bedding which can be accommodated in the
cylindrical sidewall portion.
6. A heat-insulating container according to any one of claims 1 to
5, wherein the synthetic resin foam is selected from the group
consisting of a polystyrene resin, a polypropylene resin, a
polyethylene resin, a polyester resin, and a polyurethane resin,
and the expansion factor is in the range of from 20 to 100.
7. A heat-insulating container according to any one of claims 1 to
6, further comprising a cylindrical container protector for
protecting the heat-insulating container against external
shocks.
8. A heat-insulating container according to any one of claims 1 to
7, wherein the container is used for heat-insulating an enzyme.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat-insulating container
and more particularly to a heat-insulating container suitable for
the storage or distribution of articles or substances such as,
e.g., an enzyme, coenzyme or reagent whose temperature must be
controlled below a predetermined temperature for a long time.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Heat-insulating containers made of synthetic resin foams are
known. For example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 159271/2000 discloses a heat-insulating container
made of a synthetic resin foam, comprising a box-shaped container
body, a cold insulator and a lid. The cold insulator can be
accommodated in the internal peripheral walls of the lid and
container body, such that the condensation formed on the cold
insulator does not drop on a stored product. Registered Japanese
Utility Model No. 3058267 discloses a heat-insulating container
comprising a close-bottomed cylindrical container body made of a
synthetic resin foam, and a synthetic resin foam lid rotatably
attached to the opening portion of the container body.
[0005] Many of the heat-insulating containers made of a synthetic
resin foam are generally box-shaped, as is the one disclosed in the
above-mentioned Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application
No. 159271/2000. As a result, when, for example, an item to be
cooled and/or a cool storage medium are stored in the container,
the weight of the container may be so heavy that it cannot be
transported manually. Further, the container body is in most cases
made of an integral molding of a synthetic resin foam. Accordingly,
the entire volume of the container covered by the lid is the same
regardless of whether it is actually being used as a
heat-insulating container or when being transported or stored
merely as a container without any contents, thus securing a space
for the container is a problem when it is not in use. Further, when
the container is an integrally molded article, productivity of the
container will be decreased and mold production cost will be
increased sharply when a relatively large-sized article is to be
manufactured. The container disclosed in Registered Japanese
Utility Model No. 3058267 is cylindrically shaped, so that it can
be rolled via its peripheral edge portion and thus can be
transported by hand relatively easily when it is heavy. However,
since, the container body is integrally molded, the container has
the same problems as those of the box-shaped container with regard
to the securing of storage space and manufacturing cost.
[0006] The containers made of a synthetic resin foam are not as
strong as containers or drums made of non-expanded resin, metal or
reinforced paper. Although the synthetic resin foam containers are
superior in heat insulation properties, they are not hardy enough
to withstand long-distance transportation by air, sea or land.
[0007] In view of these problems of the prior art, it is an object
of the present invention to provide an improved heat-insulating
container made of a synthetic resin foam which can perform its
intended functions when actually used as a heat-insulating
container regardless of the size of the internal volume and without
manufacturing cost increasing, and which requires far less storage
space when not in use.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
heat-insulating container made of a synthetic resin foam which can
withstand external impacts so that it can be reliably used in
distribution routes such as by air cargo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The heat-insulating container of the present invention
basically comprises a disc-shaped upper lid, a disc-shaped lower
lid, and a cylindrical sidewall portion which are all made of a
synthetic resin foam, wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion is a
structural member made up of two or more separate,
circumferentially divided pieces. The main body portion of the
container is assembled by attaching the disc-shaped lower lid to
the cylindrical sidewall portion. If necessary, the joints are
affixed with an adhesive tape. An item to be heat-insulated and a
refrigerant such as dry ice are placed in the container, which is
then covered by the disc-shaped upper lid and, if necessary, the
circumferential surface of the container is attached with an
adhesive tape, thereby producing a distribution or storage package
utilizing the heat-insulating container of the present
invention.
[0010] Since the heat-insulating container of the present invention
is generally cylindrical in shape, it can be easily transported by
rolling on its circular edge even if the contains is heavy.
Further, the cylindrical sidewall portion, which forms the main
body portion, can be divided into a plurality of separate pieces,
so that the heat-insulating container, when not being used as such,
requires less space for transportation or storage. Even if the
cylindrical sidewall portion is large, the individual separate
pieces can be relatively small, so that their molding requires less
time than in the case of making the container as an integrally
formed article. In addition, molded parts can be cut out of the
molds more satisfactorily, and also the material can be poured into
the mold cavities more satisfactorily. Thus, efficiency of molding
can be improved while reducing costs, and the space required for
storing the molds can also be reduced.
[0011] In the heat-insulating container of the present invention,
the individual separate pieces which make up the cylindrical
sidewall portion are combined via abutting surfaces formed on each
separate piece such that a convex portion formed on one surface
engages a concave portion formed on the other surface. The
circumferential length of each separate piece is set such that no
two abutting portions are located simultaneously in a vertical
virtual plane slicing a center line of the cylinder.
[0012] In this embodiment, the possibility is minimized of a
thermal shortcut being formed on the abutting surfaces of adjacent
separate pieces, so that the heat-insulating properties can be
improved. Further, even if a shock is applied to the container
during transport on the edge on one side, the embodiment can
reliably prevent the separation of the abutting surfaces of the
separate pieces on the opposite side and the possible loss of
air-tightness.
[0013] In another embodiment of the heat-insulating container of
the present invention, the cylindrical sidewall portion comprises a
rib protruding radially inwardly, and a central bedding with such
dimensions as to be locked by the rib. The central bedding is
preferably formed with a number of holes for circulating cold air.
In this embodiment, it is possible to store a heat-insulated item
and a refrigerant such as dry ice separately, the former in a space
below the central bedding and the latter in a space above the
central bedding, so that a high cooling efficiency can be obtained
for a long time. Advantageously, a bedding with legs may be placed
on the disc-shaped lower lid, in which case a heat-insulated item
can be placed on the bedding. This facilitates the circulation of
cold air effectively, further improving the cooling efficiency.
Alternatively, two central beddings may be provided in two stages,
so that the refrigerant such as dry ice may be placed between them.
In this case, different cooling environments can be created for
spaces above and below the refrigerant.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall portion
is further divided into two or more stages along the center line.
In this embodiment, the height of the cylindrical sidewall portion
can be selectively set according to the type or size of the
heat-insulated item that is accommodated. Thus, a useless cooling
space can be eliminated and the cooling efficiency can be improved.
Also, multiple central beddings can be easily placed in multiple
stages at intermediate positions.
[0015] In the present invention, the type of synthetic resin foam
is not particularly limited. Examples include a polystyrene resin,
a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, a polyester resin, and
a polyurethane resin. From the viewpoint of ease of molding,
strength and impact resistance, the individual components are
preferably internal mold foam articles produced by using prefoamed
particles of a polystyrene resin. The expansion factor can be
determined. by taking into consideration the desired
heat-insulating performance, container weight, etc, but it should
be in the range of from 20 to 100, preferably from 30 to 60.
[0016] While a container made of a synthetic resin foam is superior
in heat-insulating properties, its resistance to possible external
shock might in some cases not be enough, depending on the kind of
distribution environment. To cope with such possible situations, in
another embodiment of the present invention, the heat-insulating
container is equipped with a cylindrical container protector for
protecting the heat-insulating container from external shock. The
container protector may be made of any materials such as, e.g.,
reinforced paper, resin and metals, as long as they can provide a
required strength. However, paper should preferably be used, for it
can easily be disposed of.
[0017] Preferably, the container protector comprises an open-top
container body and a lid. A heat-insulating container containing a
heat-insulated item is then housed in the container body, the lid
is placed, followed by sealing the joints by an adhesive tape, for
example. The thus protected heat-insulating container is highly
resistant to external shocks and can withstand a long-distance
transportation by air, sea or land. Accordingly, the
heat-insulating container in this embodiment of the present
invention can be suitably used, e.g., for transporting abroad an
item in a heat-insulated condition, such items including enzymes,
coenzymes and reagents whose temperature must be controlled below a
certain temperature for a long time during storage or
distribution.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is a plan view of an assembled heat-insulating
container;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of the assembled
heat-insulating container;
[0020] FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken on the line a-a of FIG.
1A;
[0021] FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken on the line b-b of FIG.
1B;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of separate pieces which
form a cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0023] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a central bedding;
[0024] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a bedding;
[0025] FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of an example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0026] FIG. 5B is a schematic plan view of another example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0027] FIG. 5C is a schematic plan view of yet another example of
the cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0028] FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view of a further example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0029] FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view of a yet further example of
the cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of the container
protector;
[0031] FIG. 8A is a sectional view of another example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0032] FIG. 8B is a sectional view of yet another example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0033] FIG. 8C is a sectional view of yet another example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion;
[0034] FIG. 8D is a sectional view of a further example of the
cylindrical sidewall portion,
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a graph showing the results of a
heat-insulating test.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The heat-insulating container of the present invention will
be hereafter described by way of several embodiments with reference
made to the drawings. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a plan view and a side
elevational view, respectively, of an assembled heat-insulating
container 1. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a sectional view taken along the
line a-a of FIG. 1A and a sectional view taken along the line b-b
of FIG. 1B, respectively. As shown, the heat-insulating container 1
comprises a disc-shaped upper lid 10, a disc-shaped lower lid 20,
and a cylindrical sidewall portion 30, each made of a synthetic
resin foam. In this example, the cylindrical sidewall portion 30 is
made up of three identically shaped separate pieces 31 divided at
120.degree. intervals along the circumference. As shown in detail
in FIG. 3, each separate piece 31 comprises arched cut portions 32
and 33 formed on the inside of the upper and lower circumferential
edges, respectively. Each separate piece 31 also comprises a rib 34
on the internal wall surface slightly above the middle section,
protruding radially. One side edge of the internal surface of each
separate piece 31 is provided with a rib 35. The other side edge of
the internal surface of each separate piece 31 is provided with a
groove 36 with which the rib 35 can engage in an air-tight manner.
Thus, adjacent separate pieces can be assembled together in an
air-tight manner.
[0037] The three separate pieces 31 are put together such that the
rib 35 and groove 36 formed on the side edges can abut with each
other, thereby forming the cylindrical sidewall portion 30
mentioned in the present invention. The cylindrical sidewall
portion 30 is formed with circular recessed portions 32a and 33a
oil the inside of the upper and lower open ends, respectively, of
the cylindrical sidewall portion 30. The cylindrical sidewall
portion 30 is further formed with a circular rim 34a slightly above
the middle of the internal wall. The separate pieces 31 are
assembled via an abutting portion S where the concave portion
formed on one surface abuts the convex portion formed on the other
surface. As shown in FIG. 5A, no two abutting portions S are
located simultaneously in a vertical virtual plane L slicing along
a center line O of the cylinder. Thus, when an impact is applied to
the edge on one side of the cylindrical sidewall portion 30, the
abutting portions S of the separate pieces located on the opposite
side do not easily separate and the loss of air-tightness can be
prevented.
[0038] In this example, the disc-shaped upper lid 10 and the
disc-shaped lower lid 20 are discs of substantially the same shape,
and their diameter is substantially the same as the external
diameter of the cylindrical sidewall portion 30. The disc-shaped
upper lid 10 may be slightly smaller in diameter. This makes it
easier to open the disc-shaped upper lid 10 when in use, as will be
described later. One face of each disc forms a cylinder portion 11
or 21 with a reduced diameter which is substantially the same as
the diameter of the circular recessed portions 32a and 33a formed
at the upper and lower open ends of the cylindrical sidewall
portion 30. Thus, the disc-shaped upper lid 10 and lower lid 20 are
mounted on the cylindrical sidewall portion 30 such that their
cylinder portions 11 and 21 with reduced diameter internally
engages the upper and lower open ends of the cylinder sidewall
portion 30 in an air-tight manner, as shown in FIG. 2A. Thus, in an
assembled heat-insulating container 1, the internal space is
isolated from the external space.
[0039] A plate-like central bedding 40 is placed as needed on the
circular rim 34a formed on the internal wall surface of the
cylindrical sidewall portion 30, as shown in FIG. 4A. The central
bedding 40 is made of an expanded or non-expanded polystyrene
resin, for example, and formed with a number of through holes 41.
By placing the central bedding 40 inside the heat-insulating
container 1, its internal space is divided into a lower space A and
an upper space B, as shown in FIG. 2A, and the two spaces are
communicated with each other via the through holes 41. FIG. 4B
shows a bedding 45 which is used as needed. It has legs 46 on the
back surface so that, when the bedding 45 is placed on the
disc-shaped lower lid 20, a ventilating space is formed between the
bedding and the disc-shaped lower lid 20.
[0040] Before use, the cylindrical sidewall portion 30 is assembled
first, the bedding 45 is placed inside if needed (not shown in FIG.
2A), and then the disc-shaped lower lid 20 is attached to the
bottom portion of the sidewall portion. When a high degree of
stability is required, the joined surfaces or the seams are sealed
by an adhesive tape (not shown). Then, an item to be
heat-insulated, such as an enzyme, is put into the internal space
(the lower space A in the illustrated example), the central bedding
40 is placed, and then a refrigerant such as dry ice is placed
thereon (in the upper space B). Finally, the disc-shaped upper lid
10 is put on the cylindrical sidewall portion 30, to complete the
heat-insulating container 1 in which the heat-insulated item is
accommodated in an air-tight space. The through holes 41 in the
central bedding,40 allow cool air to circulate effectively, so that
the heat-insulated item can be stored in a temperature-controlled
environment for long hours or days.
[0041] After a certain period of time, the disc-shaped upper lid 10
is removed and the accommodated item is retrieved. The
heat-insulating container 1 after use is transported back or stored
at a different site.The disc-shaped lower lid 20 and the central
bedding 40 (and also the bedding 45) can be easily separated from
one another. The cylindrical sidewall portion 30 can also be easily
disassembled into the three separate pieces 31. Thus, the
heat-insulating container 1 requires far less space when
transported or stored without any contents than when used for its
intended functions, so that the transportation or storage costs can
be reduced. Further, since the heat-insulating container 1 is made
up of a number of small parts, molding costs can be greatly reduced
as compared with the case of integrally molding the entire
container.
[0042] FIGS. 5A to 5C are plan views schematically showing only the
cylindrical sidewall portion 30. FIG. 5A shows the above-described
cylindrical sidewall portion 30. FIG. 5B shows a cylindrical
sidewall portion 30 formed by not three but five separate pieces
31a. In this case, too, no two abutting portions S are
simultaneously located in a vertical virtual plane L slicing along
the center line O of the cylinder. FIG. 5C shows a further example
which differs from the example of FIG. 5A in that the rib and
groove at the side edges of each separate piece 31b are formed by a
tongue 35a and a groove 36a, respectively, in the so-called
tongue-and-groove joint. In this embodiment, better air-tightness
can be obtained, and also the possibility of the individual
separate pieces 3b being separated by an impact can be reduced.
[0043] FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views schematically showing further
examples of the cylindrical sidewall portion 30. In these examples,
the cylindrical sidewall portion 30 is made up of two or four
separate pieces 31. While in these cases two abutting portions S
are simultaneously included in the vertical virtual plane L slicing
the center line O of the cylinder, the cylindrical sidewall portion
30 can be prevented from easily separating by suitably arranging
the manner of engagement in the abutting portions S, or by affixing
an adhesive tape along the periphery of the cylindrical sidewall
portion 30.
[0044] The above-described heat-insulating container 1 may be used
as is for the distribution or storage of a heat-insulated item.
However, since the container is made of a synthetic resin foam, it
has problems for strength when used for distribution or storage
purposes for a long time under an impact-prone environment. FIG. 7
shows a cylindrical container protector 50 which may be suitably
used in such cases. As mentioned above, the container protector 50
may be made of any materials including, e.g., reinforced paper,
resin, and metal, as long as they can provide a necessary strength.
Paper is preferable, for it can be easily disposed of. In this
example, the container protector 50 comprises a container body 51
with an open upper part and a lid 52. The heat-insulating container
1 accommodating a heat-insulated item is placed in the container
body 51 and the lid 52 is closed, and, if necessary, the joints are
sealed by an adhesive tape (not shown). In FIGS. 1 and 2, the
container protector 50 is indicated by phantom lines. When thus
placed in the protector, the heat-insulating container can be made
highly resistant to external impacts or shocks and can therefore
withstand a long transportation by air, sea or land.
[0045] It may be difficult to remove the disc-shaped upper lid 10
when the heat-insulating container 1 is accommodated in the
container protector 50. This problem can be avoided by reducing the
diameter of the disc-shaped upper lid 10 such that there is a gap
between the container body 51 and the lid.
[0046] FIGS. 8A to 8D show other embodiments of the heat-insulating
container 1. In these embodiments, the cylindrical sidewall portion
30 is further divided into two or more stages (stages 30a, 30b, and
30c in the illustrated example) along the central axis. The
individual cylindrical sidewall portions 30a, 30b, and 30c are
combined into one piece via a fitting engagement of a circular rib
38 and a circular groove 39 formed on the upper and lower
peripheral edge faces of each sidewall portion. Thus, the
cylindrical sidewall portion 30 can be assembled in a highly
stabilized manner while ensuring a high degree of air-tightness.
The air-tightness is further enhanced by the disc-shaped upper lid
10 and disc-shaped lower lid 20 being likewise joined with the
cylindrical sidewall portions 30a and 30c, respectively, via a
circular rib and a circular groove. The cylindrical sidewall
portion 30a, 30b, or 30c in each stage is made up of a plurality of
separate pieces, as in the above embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 8B differs from FIG. 8A in that the bedding 45 is
placed inside. FIG. 8C differs from FIGS. 8A and 8B in that the
thickness of the middle cylindrical sidewall portion 30b is
different from that of the upper and lower cylindrical sidewall
portions 30a and 30c (In the illustrated example, the middle
cylindrical sidewall portion is wider, but it may be thinner.).
This example is advantageous in that the temperature distribution
inside the container can be controlled.
[0048] The example shown in FIG. 8D differs from the others in that
two central beddings 40 are attached to the middle cylindrical
sidewall portion 30b. In this case, different temperature
environments can be obtained in a lower space A and an upper space
B by placing a refrigerant between the central beddings 40.
Further, by making the thickness of the middle cylindrical sidewall
portion 30b greater than that of the upper and lower cylindrical
sidewall portions 30a and 30c, the duration of time before melting
or sublimation of the refrigerant occurs can be advantageously
extended.
[0049] FIG. 9 shows the results of a heat-insulating test involving
the heat-insulating container 1 according to the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. The heat-insulating container 1 used had a
diameter of 490 mm and a height of 620 mm externally. The thickness
of the disc-shaped upper lid 10, disc-shaped lower lid 20 and
cylindrical sidewall portion 30 was all 50 mm. The internal volume
was about 60 L. The material was a polystyrene resin, with an
expansion factor of 50. As a heat-insulated item, two packages each
containing 5 kg of an enzyme (total of 10 kg) were stored in the
lower space A. The central bedding 40 made of an expanded
polystyrene resin was placed, and then four packages each
containing 2.2 kg of dry ice (total of about 9 kg) were put into
the upper space B. The container was sealed by putting the
disc-shaped upper lid 10 thereon.
[0050] The heat-insulating container 1 was then placed in a
reinforced paper drum (container protector 50) measuring,
externally, 520 mm in diameter, 650 mm in height and 10 mm in
thickness (with an internal volume of about 120 L), and the drum
was covered by the lid 51 and sealed by an adhesive tape. The drum
thus accommodating the heat-insulating container 1 was then left to
stand outside for a long time at a temperature of about 40.degree.
C., and temperature changes in the enzyme were measured. FIG. 9
shows the results.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, the temperature of the enzyme was
controlled at 0.degree. C. or below for about 75 hours, and it
reached 25.degree. C. only after 110 hours. When an enzyme is
manufactured in a production plant and exported, e.g., from Japan
to Europe or the U.S., a typical transportation environment and
time are 40.degree. C. and 100 hours, respectively. When it is an
evaluation yardstick for temperature of the product to be
maintained at 25.degree. C. (control temperature) or below, the
above-described heat-insulating container is quite
satisfactory.
[0052] Thus, the heat-insulating container of the present invention
allows the temperature of a heat-insulated item to be controlled
below a preferable temperature for a long time. Further, since the
heat-insulating container of the present invention is made up of a
plurality of parts, the entire volume of the container can be
minimized when not used as such, so that the space required for the
distribution or storage of the container not in use can be reduced,
and molding costs can be reduced as compared with the case of costs
for integral molding.
[0053] All publications, patents and patent applications cited
herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *