Liquid container

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims, under 35 USC 119, priorities of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-379504 filed Dec. 28, 2004, No. 2004-379510 filed Dec. 28, 2004 and No. 2004-378474 filed Dec. 28, 2004, disclosures of which, inclusive of the specifications, claims and drawings, are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a structure of a liquid container with a thermal insulation function suitable for containing coffee, tea, hot water or the like liquid.

2. Description of Prior Art

In general, a liquid container having a body case as an exterior case and an inner vessel with a thermal insulation structure such as a vacuum thermal insulation structure housed in the body case is portable or movable, and a carrying handle is attached to an upper part of the body case.

Such a liquid container has a liquid discharge passage through which the liquid stored in the inner vessel can be discharged to the outside of the body case. The liquid discharge passage has a liquid discharge port as an outlet to the outside and a valve unit having a cutoff valve for stopping the flow of liquid to the liquid discharge port. The valve unit is typically secured to the bottom of the body case by fastening means such as screws.

Such a liquid container also has a liquid level pipe extending vertically on the front of the body case for indicating the amount of liquid in the inner vessel so that the residual amount of liquid in the inner vessel can be visually checked from outside. A glass tube is used for the liquid level pipe from a hygienic point of view. First and second packing seals are attached to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the liquid level pipe, and the upper and lower ends of the liquid level pipe are connected to a first connection pipe extending to an upper opening of the inner vessel and a second connection pipe extending to the bottom of the inner vessel via the packing seals.

An example of such a liquid container is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-2001-48181 (pp. 1 to 4 and FIGS. 1 to 8).

The carrying handle of the liquid container disclosed in JP-A-2001-48181 is rotatably pivoted to the shoulder or side wall of the body case by pivot pins as shown in FIG. 1 thereof and cannot be freely removed from the body case. However, once placed, the liquid container is generally not moved for a while. Then, the carrying handle is unnecessary during that time.

Liquid containers of some type must be able to be disassembled into component units so that they can be washed separately. In this case, the carrying handle should be detachable so that it can be washed easily. When the carrying handle is detachable, it should be easily attached and detached and must be locked reliably while in use.

The liquid container is used to store various types of liquid (coffee, tea, etc.). When the type of liquid to be stored in the liquid container is changed, the inside of the liquid discharge passage, as well as the inside of the inner vessel, has to be washed. Accordingly, the liquid discharge passage (the valve unit having a liquid discharge port as an outlet to the outside and a cutoff valve for stopping the flow of liquid to the liquid discharge port) has to be detachable. For example, to sell such a liquid container in the United States, it is necessary that the valve unit can be removed easily by a user (necessary to obtain NSF approval). In the case of the liquid container disclosed in JP-A-2001-48181, however, the valve unit is secured to the bottom of the body case by fastening means such as screws as described above and cannot be removed without a tool such as a screw driver. That is, the valve unit cannot be removed easily by a user so that the approval of NSF cannot be obtained.

When the liquid container is used for a long time, the liquid level pipe for indicating the amount of liquid becomes dirty. To remove the dirt, the liquid level pipe has to be removed and washed. However, when the liquid container is used for a long time, the first and second packing seals of silicone rubber adhere to the glass liquid level pipe. If the user tries to remove the packing seals from the liquid level pipe for washing, the packing seals will be torn and will not be able to be used anymore.

Also, in the liquid container, the liquid level pipe is connected to a plurality of members including the packing seals and the first and second connection pipes. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are large, and the production cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a simple and highly convenient liquid container having a carrying handle which can be easily removed or disassembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a valve unit and/or a liquid level pipe which can be easily removed or disassembled.

(1) First Means for Solving the Problem:

A first means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container, comprising a container body with a thermal insulation function for storing a liquid; a lid member detachably attached to an upper end opening of said container body; and a carrying handle rotatably and detachably attached to an upper part of said container body, wherein a part of a handle attaching part of said carrying handle is engageable with a part of a handle mounting part of said container body to prevent said carrying handle from being detached from said container body when said carrying handle is used to hang said liquid container, and said part of said handle attaching part of said carrying handle is releasable from said part of said handle mounting part of said container body to permit said carrying handle to be detached from said container body when said carrying handle is not used to hang said liquid container.

The carrying handle is attached to the container body in such a manner that it cannot be detached when in a usable condition but can be detached when in an unusable condition as described above. Therefore, the carrying handle can be used safely since it won't be detached accidentally the carrying handle may be used to carry the liquid container, whereas the carrying handle can be freely detached from the container body when there is no possibility of the carrying handle being used to carry the liquid container.

(2) Second Means for Solving the Problem:

A second means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container according to the first means for solving the problem, further comprising a plurality of component parts detachably attached to said container body in fixed positions, said part of said handle attaching part of said carrying handle being engaged with said part of said handle mounting part of said container body to prevent said carrying handle from being detached from said container body when all of said component parts have been attached to said container body in said fixed position.

A plurality of component parts are detachably attached to the container body in fixed positions, and the carrying handle cannot be detached from the container body when all of the component parts have been attached to the container body in the fixed positions but can be detached from the container body when a predetermined component part among the component parts has been detached from the container body. Therefore, the carrying handle can be used safely since it won't be detached accidentally when all of the component parts have been attached to the container body in the fixed positions and the carrying handle may be used to carry the liquid container, whereas the carrying handle can be freely detached from the container body when a predetermined component part among the component parts has been detached from the container body and there is no possibility of the carrying handle being used to carry the liquid container.

(3) Third Means for Solving the Problem:

A third means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container according to the second embodiment, wherein said part of said handle attaching part of said carrying handle is releasable from said part of said handle mounting part of said container body to permit said carrying handle to be detached from said container body when at least one predetermined component part among said plurality of component parts has been displaced or detached from its fixed position.

A plurality of component parts are detachably attached to the container body in fixed positions, and the carrying handle cannot be detached from the container body when all of the component parts have been attached to the container body in the fixed positions but can be detached from the container body when a predetermined component part among the component parts has been displaced from its fixed position. Therefore, the carrying handle can be used safely since it won't be detached accidentally when all of the component parts have been attached to the container body in the fixed positions and the carrying handle may be used to carry the liquid container, whereas the carrying handle can be freely detached from the container body when a predetermined component part among the component parts has been displaced from its fixed position and there is no possibility of the carrying handle being used to carry the liquid container.

(4) Fourth Means for Solving the Problem:

A fourth means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container, comprising a container body with a thermal insulation function for storing liquid; and a liquid discharge passage for directing the liquid stored in the container body to the outside of the container body, wherein a valve unit having a liquid discharge port as an outlet to the outside of the passage and a cutoff valve for stopping a flow of liquid from the container body to the liquid discharge port is detachably installed in the liquid discharge passage.

The liquid stored in the container body is discharged to the outside of the container body through the liquid discharge passage. Thus, when the type of the liquid to be stored in the container body is changed, the inside of the container body and the inside of the liquid discharge passage have to be washed. In such a case, the valve unit having a liquid discharge port as an outlet to the outside of the passage and a cutoff valve for stopping a flow of liquid from the container body to the liquid discharge port can be detached easily without a special tool.

(5) Fifth Means for Solving the Problem:

A fifth means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container, comprising a container body with a thermal insulation function for storing liquid; a liquid level pipe for indicating the amount of liquid in the container body; and first and second packing seals attached to upper and lower ends of the liquid level pipe, wherein adhesion preventing means are provided on both upper and lower ends of the liquid level pipe where the first and second packing seals are attached for preventing breakage of the upper and lower ends of sail liquid level pipe and adhesion of the upper and lower ends of sail liquid level pipe to the first and second packing seals, and wherein the liquid level pipe can be detached from the body case with the first and the second packing being left on the container body.

Therefore, even if the liquid level pipe is not removed from the first and second packing seals for a long time, the liquid level pipe can be prevented from adhering to the first and second packing seals and easily removed from the first and second packing seals. Also, even if the upper or lower end of the liquid pipe is hit on something when or after it is removed from the container body, the liquid level pipe can be prevented from being broken or damaged. In addition, since the liquid level pipe can be detached from the body case with the first and the second packing being left on the container body, the liquid level pipe can be taken out by simply pulling it upward.

(6) Sixth Means for Solving the Problem:

A sixth means for solving the problem according to the present invention is a liquid container according to the fifth means for solving the problem, wherein each of the first and second packing seals has a plurality of annular projections at axially spaced points on a surface thereof to be in contact with the liquid level pipe.

Since a plurality of annular projections are formed on the surfaces of the first and second packing seals in contact with the liquid level pipe, even if steam generated when hot water is pored into the liquid container reaches the lower end of a protection case for the liquid level pipe, the annular projections seal the protection case reliably and prevents fogging of the protection case. Therefore, the liquid level can be maintained in a clearly visible condition. In addition, the annular projections can enhance the sealing effect of the first and second packing seals, and enable the first and second packing seals to be easily attached to and easily removed from the liquid level pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which follows, when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational, front view of a liquid container according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid container, taken along its anteroposterior axis and looking from the side;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of an upper part of the liquid container;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a lower part of the liquid container;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the structure of a valve unit of the liquid container;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the installation state of the valve unit in the bottom (valve unit housing recess) of the liquid container;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the structure of a cover member attached to the bottom (valve unit housing recess) of the liquid container;

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the structure of a liquid level pipe for a liquid level indicator of the liquid container;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the structure of a back plate for the liquid level indicator of the liquid container;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the coupling structure between the lower end of the liquid level pipe and a second connection pipe in the liquid container;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the coupling structure between the upper end of the liquid level pipe and a first connection pipe in the liquid container;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the installation state of the first connection pipe (and a first packing seal) in a recess for receiving the first connection pipe (and the first packing seal) at the shoulder of the liquid container;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the state of the recess for receiving the first connection pipe (and the first packing seal) at the shoulder of the liquid container after the first connection pipe (and the first packing seal) has been removed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, looking from below, illustrating the structure of a passage cover for covering the upper end of the liquid level pipe and the first connection pipe (and the first packing seal) in the recess for receiving the first connection pipe (and the first packing seal) at the shoulder of the liquid container;

FIG. 15 is a side view of an engaging spring member provided inside the passage cover of the liquid container;

FIG. 16 is a back view of the engaging spring member;

FIG. 17 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of a carrying handle of the liquid container (cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 18);

FIG. 18 is a side view of the carrying handle;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a handle mounting part formed on a top plate of a body case of the liquid container and a pivot pin thereof;

FIG. 20 is a front view, partially cut-away, illustrating the attachment structure of the carrying handle (right part thereof) on the top plate of the body case of the liquid container;

FIG. 21 is a side view, looking from inside, illustrating the structure of a handle base part of the carrying handle of the liquid container;

FIG. 22 is a side view, looking from inside, illustrating a fitting hole of the handle base part and the pivot pin of the handle mounting part of the body case in an undetachable engagement state (use state);

FIG. 23 is a side view, looking from inside, illustrating a fitting hole of the handle base part and the pivot pin of the handle mounting part of the body case in a detachable engagement state (not-use state);

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a first positional relation between the carrying handle and the passage cover in a use state;

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a second positional relation between the carrying handle and the passage cover in a use state;

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating the positional relation between the carrying handle and the passage cover in a detachable state (not-use state) at the upper end of the body case of the liquid container;

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating the relation between the carrying handle and the passage cover in a detachable state brought by displacing the passage cover at the upper end of the body case of the liquid container; and

FIG. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a disassemblable valve unit of the liquid container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 28 show the structure of a liquid container constituted as a liquid container having a free fall discharge system according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Outline of the Overall Structure:

A liquid container 1 has, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an inner vessel 2 made of a stainless steel or glass and having thermal insulation and heat-retention function, a synthetic resin body case 3 (exterior case) surrounding the inner vessel 2, a funnel member 5 detachably threaded into an opening 4 formed at the center of a top plate 3a of the body case 3 to form a liquid inlet, a stopper 7 with a funnel-like cross-section detachably threaded over the edge of a cylindrical wide opening 5a at the upper end of the funnel member 5 and having a packing seal 6 and a lower end projection 7a for closing the wide opening 5a and a narrow opening 5b at the lower end of the funnel member 5 to prevent leakage of the liquid in the inner vessel 2, a synthetic resin bottom member 8 fitted in the bottom of a trunk 3c of the body case 3 from below and secured to the body case 3 by screws 8a, a liquid discharge passage 11 with a cutoff valve 12 located between the bottom member 8 and a bottom 2d of the inner vessel 2 for directing liquid from a liquid discharge port 2f at the center of the bottom 2d of the inner vessel 2 to a liquid discharge port 9 located at a front part of the bottom member 8, a liquid level indicator 20 extending vertically at the center of the front of the body case 3, and a carrying handle 60 detachably attached to the shoulder of the body case 3 and rotatable back and forth.

Inner Vessel:

The inner vessel 2, made of a stainless steel or glass, has a vacuum double wall structure (thermal insulation structure) and defines a bottle-like liquid storage space slightly elongated vertically as shown in FIG. 2. The inner vessel 2 has a cylindrical trunk 2c with a large diameter, a sloped shoulder 2b, a cylindrical upper end opening 2a with a diameter smaller than that of the trunk 2c, and a concave bottom 2d. The bottom 2d is supported on the bottom member 8 via an inner vessel support member 2e. The edge of the upper end opening 2a is fitted in a cylindrical portion 4a of the body case 3 under the opening 4 with a packing seal 4b interposed therebetween.

Liquid Discharge Passage 11:

The liquid discharge passage 11 has at least three passages; a first passage extending linearly downward from the liquid discharge port 2f of the inner vessel 2, a second passage with a large diameter located under the first passage and forming a liquid storage space extending horizontally forward and having a semi-spherical rear part and a cylindrical front part, and a sleeve-like third passage with a small diameter extending horizontally forward from the second passage and communicated with the liquid discharge port 9.

The first passage is formed by an inlet pipe 11a fitted in the liquid discharge port 2f of the inner vessel 2 with a packing seal 10 interposed therebetween. The second passage is formed by a connection pipe 11b with a larger diameter made of a heat resistant rubber such as a silicone rubber and removably connected to the inlet pipe 11a. The third passage is formed in a cylindrical valve unit VU removably connected to the downstream opening of the connection pipe 11b.

Connection Pipe 11b:

The connection pipe 11b has an insertion tube 11c extending vertically upward from its cylindrical part and removably receiving a lower part of the inlet pipe 11a. When the insertion tube 11c is fitted over the inlet pipe 11a, the connection pipe 11b is held in a generally horizontal position which permits discharge of the liquid. A connection pipe 11d, to which the rear end of a second coupling pipe 24 as a communication pipe to a hereinafter described liquid level pipe 21 is removably connected via a flexible tube 25a and a connection elbow 25b, extends generally horizontally and generally perpendicular to the connection pipe 11b from a point close to the rear end of the semi-spherical part of the connection pipe 11b.

Structure of Valve Unit:

The valve unit VU has, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a cylindrical passage-forming member 14 of a synthetic resin (polypropylene, for example) having a fitting part 14a removably fitted in the connection pipe 11b at its rear end, a cutoff valve (valve disc) 12 for opening and closing an upstream opening of the third passage formed in the passage-forming member 14, and the pipe-like liquid discharge port 9 extending vertically downward from the front end of the third passage in the passage-forming member 14.

The cutoff valve 12 has a valve stem 12a extending forward therefrom along the axis of the third passage and protruding forward through a valve operation mechanism 15 at the front end of the passage-forming member 14. The valve operation mechanism 15 has a coil spring 16 interposed between a spring receiver 16a attached to the valve stem 12a at a position close to the front end thereof and the rear end of the valve operation mechanism 15. The coil spring 16 constantly urges the cutoff valve 12 in the close direction. An opening at the front end of the valve operation mechanism 15 is closed by a rubber cap 17. The valve stem 12a has a front end 12c protruding to the outside a predetermined length through the center of the rubber cap 17.

In FIG. 4, designated as 15a is an O-ring for ensuring the water-tightness between the third passage in the passage-forming member 14 and the valve operation mechanism 15, as 15b is a packing seal provided on the sealing side of the cutoff valve 12.

The cutoff valve 12 of the valve unit VU is slidably supported at the front end of the second passage in the connection pipe 11b and can be slid back and forth by a discharge operation lever 13 at a lower part on the front of the body case 3 via the valve stem 12a.

The cutoff valve 12 is urged by the coil spring 16 disposed at the front end 12c of the valve stem 12a and pressed against a valve seat at the rear end of the valve stem 12a. In this state, the front end 12c of the valve stem 12a protrudes a predetermined length toward the discharge operation lever 13.

The discharge operation lever 13 has a manual operation part 13a tiltable forward, and a pressing lever part 13b extending in an L-shape from the manual operation part 13a and having a distal end 13c opposed to the front end 12c of the valve stem 12a. The discharge operation lever 13 is pivoted at a point above the distal end 13c of the pressing lever 13b to the bottom member 8 by a pivot pin 18. The discharge operation lever 13 is constantly urged in a non-operational direction (in such a direction that the valve stem 12a is not pressed) by an urging spring 19 mounted on the pivot-pin 18. When pressed by the distal end 13c of the pressing lever 13b of the discharge operation lever 13, the cutoff valve 12 is axially slid backward a predetermined distance to communicate the second passage with the third passage so that the liquid in the inner vessel 2 can be directed to the liquid discharge port 9 through the first, second and third passages.

Four reinforcing ribs 14b are formed on the outer periphery of the passage-forming member 14 and extend longitudinally at equally circumferentially spaced intervals. Two of the reinforcing ribs 14b, extending horizontally from both sides of the passage-forming member 14 when the valve unit VU is in an assembled state shown in FIG. 4, have first and second engaging members 40 and 41, respectively, for fixing the valve unit VU on the bottom member 8 of the body case 3.

The first engaging member 40 has a connection part 40a extending horizontally from the reinforcing rib 14b, an engaging part main body 40b extending from the outer end of the connection part 40a and having an inverted U-shape, and an operation part 40c extending downward from the lower end of an outer engaging piece 42 of the engaging part main body 40b and having an inverted L-shape. The outer engaging piece 42 has an engaging pawl 42a extending outward and obliquely downward. The second engaging member 41 has a wide connection part 41a extending from the reinforcing rib 14b opposite the first engaging part 40 and an engaging part main body 41b extending horizontally a predetermined length from the outer end of the connection part 41a and having a width smaller than that of the connection part 41a.

The bottom member 8 has a horseshoe-shaped valve unit housing recess 43 having a rectangular front part 43b and a semi-circular rear part 43c for receiving the valve unit VU as shown in FIG. 6 (bottom view) and FIG. 7 (bottom view). The valve unit housing recess 43 has an upper wall 43a having first and second locking parts 44 and 45 with which the engaging part main bodies 40b and 41b of the first and second engaging parts 40 and 41 are engageable, respectively.

The first locking part 44 is a square sleeve extending vertically downward from the upper wall 43a of the housing recess 43. The second locking part 45 is a raised rib extending vertically downward from the upper wall 43a of the housing recess 43 and having an locking hole 45b with which the engaging part main body 41b is horizontally receivable.

Assembly:

The engaging part main body 41b of the second engaging part 41 of the valve unit VU is first inserted into the locking hole 45a of the second locking part 45 in the housing recess 43. Then, the operation part 40c of the first engaging part 40 is pressed toward the passage-forming member 14 to elastically deform the first engaging part 40, and the engaging part main body 40b is inserted into the first locking part 44. When the pressure on the operation part 40c is released, the engaging part main body 40b is locked by the first locking part 44. At this time, the engaging pawl 42a prevents the engaging part main body 40b from disengaging from the locking part 44.

Removal:

To remove the valve unit VU, the operation part 40c of the first engaging part 40 of the valve unit VU is pressed toward the passage-forming member 14 to elastically deform the first engaging part 40, and the engaging part main body 40b is disengaged from the locking part 44. Then, the engaging part main body 41b is removed from the locking hole 45a of the second locking part 45.

Therefore, the user can manually remove the valve unit VU from the liquid discharge passage 11 easily without a tool, and the inner vessel 2 and the liquid discharge passage 11 can be washed easily. In the assembled state, the cutoff valve 12 of the valve unit VU and the third passage downstream of the cutoff valve 12 can be held in a generally horizontal position, and the liquid discharge port 9 can be held in a generally upright position. As a result, the space occupied by the valve unit VU is very small.

Coupling Structure with Liquid Level Pipe 21:

A synthetic resin (polypropylene, for example) connection elbow 25b is removably connected to the connection pipe 11d of the connection pipe 11b. To the connection elbow 25b is removably connected a flexible tube 25a of a heat-resistant rubber such as a silicone rubber removably connected to a second coupling pipe 24 of a synthetic resin (polypropylene, for example) to which the lower end of the liquid level pipe 21 extending vertically on the front of the body case 3 is removably connected via a second packing seal 80 having a structure as described later.

When the valve unit VU is removed, the flexible tube 25a can be removed from the second connection pipe 24 together with the valve unit VU. The flexible tube 25b itself can be removed from the connection elbow 25b.

Bottom Cover Member:

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the valve unit VU is covered with a cover member 46 of a synthetic resin having generally the same planar shape as the opening of the valve unit housing recess 43 and having a cylindrical opening 9a in which the liquid discharge port 9 is receivable. The cover member 46 has engaging projections 48 and 48 on both sides of a front rectangular part 46a thereof detachably engageable in engaging recesses 47 and 47 at both sides of the front rectangular part 43b of the valve unit housing recess 43 without a tool by its elasticity. The cover member 46 also has an engaging projection 49a at the center of a rear semi-circular part 46c thereof receivable in an engaging recess 49 at the center of the semi-circular part 43c of the valve unit housing recess 43. Each of the engaging projections 48 and 48 has an operation part 48a having an L-shaped cross-section and deformable by finger pressure, and a locking pawl 48b extending from the end of the operation part 48a and engageable with the corresponding engaging recess 47.

Therefore, the cover member 46 can be easily attached to the valve unit housing recess 43 by elastically deforming the engaging parts 48 and 48 by finger pressure and engaging the locking pawls 48b into the engaging recesses 47 and 47 with the engaging projection 49a inserted into the engaging recess 49 of the valve unit housing recess 43. When the cover member 46 is attached to the valve unit housing recess 43, the valve unit VU can be protected by the cover member 46. The cover member 46 can be removed in the reverse order. Since the engaging projections 48 and 48 of the cover member 46 are locked in the engaging recesses 47 and 47 of the valve unit housing recess 43 by the elasticity of the synthetic resin material, the user can easily remove the cover member 46.

Structure of Liquid Level Indicator:

Designated as 20 is a liquid level indicator extending vertically on the front of the body case 3. The liquid level indicator 20 has a liquid level pipe 21 of transparent glass extending vertically between the upper and lower end of the body case 3, a liquid level pipe protect case 22a with a circular cylindrical shape having at least a transparent front side and housing the liquid level pipe 21, a back plate 22b with a semi-circular cross-section for fixing the liquid level pipe protect case 22a, and a passage cover 30 attached to an upper part of the liquid level pipe 21, and is detachably attached to the front of the body case 3.

Liquid Level Pipe 21:

The liquid level pipe 21 have both ends 21a and 21b on which adhesion preventing means 95 and 95 are provided as shown in FIG. 8. The adhesion preventing means 95 and 95 are provided by a printing method used to print a scale on a glass tube, a film winding method used to wind a transparent film around a glass tube, or a coating method used to apply a fluorine coating on a glass tube. Since the adhesion preventing means 95 and 95 are provided on the upper and lower ends 21a and 21b of the liquid level tube 21 as described above, the liquid level pipe 21 can be prevented from adhering to first and second packing seals 70 and 80 as described later and the strength of the upper and lower ends 21a and 21b of the liquid level pipe 21 is improved.

The upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 is communicated with the opening 4 at the upper end of the body case 3 via an L-shaped first connection pipe (of a heat-resistant rubber such as a silicone rubber) 23 integrated with the packing seal 70. The lower end 21b of the liquid level pipe 21 is communicated with the flexible tube 25a on the side of the liquid discharge passage 11 via an L-shaped second connection pipe (of a heat-resistant rubber such as a silicone rubber) 24.

Therefore, the residual amount (level) of liquid W stored in the inner vessel 2 is indicated properly by the siphon principle since the lower end 21 of the liquid level pipe 21 is communicated to the bottom 2d of the inner vessel 2 via the second connection pipe 24, the flexible tube 25a, the connection elbow 25b, the connection pipe lid, the connection-pipe 11b and the inlet pipe 11a and the upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 is communicated to the upper end opening 2a of the inner vessel 2. Steam generated in the liquid level pipe 21 when the liquid W has a high temperature can be directed to the opening 4 at the upper end of the inner vessel 2.

The lower end of the back plate 22b is locked in a front end engaging part (which will be described in detail later) at the lower end of the body case 3, and the upper end of the back plate 22b is removably secured to the body case by a screw 26a. Therefore, the liquid level pipe protect case 22a and the back plate 22b can be easily removed from the body case 3 when necessary. Accordingly, the liquid level pipe 21 in the liquid level pipe protect case 22a can be removed when necessary.

Since the first and second connection pipes 23 and 24 are made of a rubber material as described before and the first and second packing seals 70 and 80 are provided, the upper and lower ends 21a and 21b of the liquid level pipe 21 can be sealingly connected the first and second connection pipes 23 and 24 and can be easily removed from the first and second connection pipes 23 and 24.

Structure of Back Plate 22b:

The back plate 22b has a recess having a semi-circular cross-section and extending vertically along its center as shown in FIG. 9, and about a half of the protect case 22a is received in the recess. The back plate 22b has a bulged part 93 bulged forward at its lower end, and a circular hole 94, as the front end engaging part, with a diameter corresponding to that of the outer diameter of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is formed vertically through the bulged part 93. The lower end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is inserted in the circular hole 94.

The back plate 22b has two attaching projections (ribs) 96 and 96 extending vertically behind the bulged part 93 as shown by broken lines in FIG. 9. When the back plate 22b is attached to the body case 3, the two attaching projection 96 and 96 are inserted into fitting holes (not shown) formed in the body case 3 and locked in position.

The back plate 22b also has a U-shaped rib 26 protruding upward from its upper end for holding the first connection pipe 23 and the first packing seal 70 integrally formed at an end of the first connection pipe 23 in position. Engaging ribs 26a and 26a extend horizontally from both sides of the lower end of the U-shaped rib 26. A screw hole 26b is formed through a lower part of the U-shaped rib 26. When the back plate 22b is attached to the body case 3, the two attaching projections 96 and 96 formed behind the bulged part 93 are inserted into the fitting holes (not shown) formed in the body case 3 and a screw is inserted into the screw hole 26b and threaded into a corresponding screw hole in the body case 3 to fix the back plate 22b.

How to Attach the Liquid Level Pipe 21:

Description will be made of how to attach the lower end 21b of the liquid level pipe 21.

When the back plate 22b is attached to the body case 3, a cylindrical end 24a with a larger diameter at the downstream end of the second connection pipe 24 (the upstream end of the connection pipe 24 is connected to the connection pipe 11a of the liquid discharge passage 11 via the flexible pipe 25a, the connection elbow 25b and the connection pipe 11d) is located generally at the upper end of the circular hole 94 at the lower end of the back plate 22b.

As shown in FIG. 10, a second packing seal 80 is attached to the cylindrical end 24b of the second connection pipe 24. The second packing seal 80 is made of a heat-resistant rubber material such as a silicone rubber, and has an inner cylindrical portion 81, an outer cylindrical portion extending from the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 81 and folded into an inverted U-shape, and an annular groove 83 between the inner cylindrical portion 81 and the outer cylindrical portion 82 as shown in FIG. 10.

A plurality of annular ridges 84 are formed on the inner periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 81. An annular ridge (rib) 85 is circumferentially formed along the lower edge of the outer cylindrical portion 82. The lower end 21b of the liquid level pipe 21 is inserted in the inner cylindrical portion 81, and cylindrical end 24a of the second coupling pipe 24 is fitted in the annular groove 83. The lower end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22b is fitted over the outer cylindrical portion 82.

The tightness of coupling between the annular groove 83 and the cylindrical end 24a of the second coupling pipe 24 is higher than that between the inner cylindrical portion 81 and the liquid level pipe 21. These tightnesses can be controlled by adjusting the distance or the contact area between the members or by forming an annular ridge with a desired height on the outer periphery of the cylindrical end 24a. When the tightnesses are properly set, the liquid level pipe 21 can be pulled out without removing the second packing seal 80 from the second coupling pipe 24.

When the lower end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is fitted in the circular hole 94 at the lower end of the back plate 22b as shown in FIG. 1, the annular rib 85 on the outer periphery of the second packing seal 80 abuts on the inner surface of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a and prevents steam rising as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10 from entering the liquid level pipe protect case 22a. Therefore, the inside of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a can be prevented from fogging, and the visibility of the liquid level indication is not impaired.

When the back plate 22b is attached to the front of the body case 3, the liquid level pipe protect case 22a and the liquid level pipe 21 are bulged out from the front of the body case 3. Therefore, the visibility of the liquid level pipe 21 is high. Also, when the back plate 22a is attached to the front of the body case 3, the circular hole 93 is located above a flange 86 protruding from the body case 3 and having a length about half the diameter of the circular hole 93. When the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is fitted into the circular hole 94 at the lower end of the back plate 22b, the lower end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is placed on the flange 86 and the liquid level pipe protect case 22a is stably held in position with respect to the back plate 22b.

The first packing seal 70 is attached to the upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21. The first packing seal 70 is formed integrally with the first connection pipe 23 at a front end 23a thereof as shown in FIG. 11. That is, the first connection pipe 23 is of an L-shape as a whole and has a cylindrical flange 73 with a larger diameter at the front end 23a as shown in FIG. 11. The first packing seal 70 has a passage 74 extending through its center and a stepped part 75 on the outer periphery of its distal end. A plurality of annular ridges 76, similar to the annular ridges 84 on the inner periphery of the second packing seal 80, are formed on the inner periphery of the passage 74. The upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 is water-tightly received in the passage 74, and the upper end of the liquid level pipe protection case 22a is fitted over the stepped part 75.

The body case 3 has a recess 87 having a U-shape as viewed in a front view and a plan view at a front part of a shoulder 3b thereof, and a truncated V-shaped mounting member 88 is formed on the vertical front-facing wall of the recess 87 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. A fitting pipe 31 connectable to the connection pipe 23 protrudes from the center of the mounting member 88. Horizontal guide rails 89 and 89 are formed on the right and left vertical walls of the recess 87.

FIG. 12 shows the state of the recess 87 after the first connection pipe 23 and the first packing seal 70 have been removed. FIG. 13 shows the state of the recess 87 after the first connection pipe 23 and the first packing seal 70 have been attached.

The first packing seal 70 is attached to the upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 and the upper end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a. Then, the front end of the horizontal portion of the first connection pipe 23 is fitted in the U-shaped rib 26 at the upper end of the back plate 22b, and the rear end 23b of the first connection pipe 23 is fitted over the fitting pipe 31 protruding from the center of the truncated V-shaped mounting member 88. Finally, a trapezoidal flange extending laterally from the rear end 23b of the first connection pipe 23 is attached to the mounting member 88.

Since the first packing seal 70 and the first connection pipe 23 are attached using the U-shaped rib 26 and the truncated V-shaped mounting member 88, the first packing seal 70 and the first connection pipe 23 can be easily attached without being deformed. Also, since the first packing seal 70 is formed integrally with the first connection pipe 23, the number of parts can be reduced and the production cost can be reduced.

Structure of Passage Cover:

Designated as 30 is a passage cover for covering, protecting and fixing the first packing seal 70 and the first connection pipe 23 connecting the upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 and the opening 4 at the upper end of the body case 3 and for restricting the engaging state of the carrying handle 60 as described later. When the passage cover 30 is slid from the front side toward the rear side of the body case 3 along the guide rails 89 and 89 in the recess 87 formed at the shoulder 3b of the body case 3, it fitted in the recess 87 and detachably fixed in position. The passage cover 30 is formed as shown in FIG. 14. The passage cover 30 is slidable along the lower faces of the guide rails 89 and 89 in the recess 87 formed at the center of the upper front end of the body case 3 and removably and fixedly receivable in the recess 87.

The passage cover 30 has a pair of right and left walls 31 and 31 having guide ribs 32 and 32 slidable along the lower faces of the guide rails 89 and 89, a rear wall 33 with an arcuate horizontal cross-section formed behind the side walls 31 and 31, and an upper wall 34 having a middle portion with an arcuate shape in vertical cross-section with a prescribed height and a flat portion formed around the middle portion. When the passage cover 30 is fitted in the recess 87 of the body case 3, the rear wall 33 and the middle portion of the upper wall 34 covers and fixes the first packing seal 70 and the first connection pipe 23, and the flat portion of the upper wall 34 is flush with the shoulder 3b and the top plate 3a of the body case 3.

The passage cover 30 has an engaging spring member 50 of a synthetic resin in the space defined by the upper wall 34 and the side walls 31 and 31. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the engaging spring member 50 is located between vertically elongated clamping ribs 31b and 31b formed at longitudinally spaced points and secured in contact with the upper wall 34 and the side walls 31 and 31 by the clamping ribs 31b and 31b. The engaging spring member 50 has an inverted U-shaped main body 51 having a large width in the longitudinal direction and in pressure contact with the upper wall 34 and the side walls 31 and 31 with an outward elastic force, spring portions 52 and 52 extending from the lower ends of the main body 51, engaging rib 51a and 51a with a rectangular cross-section formed on intermediate portions of the main body 51 and fixedly receivable in square engaging holes 31a and 31a formed through the side walls 31 and 31, and an engaging piece 51b formed at the upper end of the main body 51 and receivable in an engaging groove in the reverse side of the upper wall 34. Each of the spring portions 52 and 52 has an inverted-U shaped folded part 52a in the middle and an engaging piece 52b curved downward at its distal end.

Each spring part 52 is slightly tilted upward from its base end to the engaging piece 52b at its distal end at an angle of θ1 as shown in FIG. 15. The engaging ribs 51a and 51a are received in the engaging hole 31a and 31a with a clearance with a prescribed width left on the upper side in the engaging holes 31a and 31a so that the engaging spring member 50 can be easily removed.

The back plate 22b of the liquid level indicator 20 has a U-shaped rib 26 for receiving and supporting the first connection pipe 23 and the first packing seal 70 at its upper end and engaging ribs 26a and 26a engageable with the engaging pieces 52b. When the passage cover 30 is slid into the recess 87 of the body case 3, since the folded parts 52a and 52a of the engaging spring 50 are elastically deformed, the engaging pieces 52b and 52b can smoothly cross over the engaging ribs 26a and 26a at the upper end of the back plate 22b of the liquid level indicator 20 and locked inside the engaging ribs 26a and 26a. Therefore, the passage cover 30 can be fixedly held in the engaging recess 87 stably and reliably. In this state, the arcuate middle part of the upper wall 34 reliably holds and protects the first connection pipe 23.

How to Disassemble Liquid Level Pipe:

Description will be made of how to disassemble the liquid level pipe 21. First, the passage cover 30 is manually pulled forward. Since the engaging pieces 52b and 52b of the engaging spring 50 are elastically deformed and can smoothly cross over the engaging ribs 26a and 26a, the passage cover 30 can be easily removed when pulled forward. Then, the state shown in FIG. 13 is reached.

Then, the first packing seal 70 is pulled upward. At this time, since the coupling between the upper end of the liquid level pipe protect case 22a and the stepped part 75 of the first packing seal 70 is relatively loose, the lower end 21b of the liquid level pipe 21 is released from the second packing seal 80 and the liquid level pipe 21 is pulled upward together with the first packing seal 70 or the first packing seal 70 is released from the upper end 21a of the liquid level pipe 21 and pulled upward with the liquid level pipe 21 fitted in the second packing seal 80.

It is possible to determine from which of the first packing seal 70 and the second packing seal 80 the liquid level pipe 21 is released when the first packing seal 70 is pulled upward by properly setting the tightness of coupling between the liquid level pipe 21 and the first packing seal 70 and the tightness of coupling between the liquid level pipe 21 and the second packing seal 80. It is preferred that the first packing seal 70 can be pulled upward with the liquid level pipe 21 fitted in the second packing seal 80 since the liquid level pipe 21 would not be hit on the liquid level pipe protect case 22a and broken. After the first packing seal 70 has been removed as above, the liquid level pipe protect case 22 and the liquid level pipe 21 are pulled out in sequence. Since the adhesion preventing means 95 and 95 are provided on the upper and lower ends 21a and 21b of the liquid level pipe 21, the liquid level pipe 21 can be removed from the first and second packing seals 70 and 80 without damaging the first and second packing seal 70 and 80.

After that, the second packing seal 80 is removed from the second connection pipe 24. Then, the cover member 46 attached to the lower side of the bottom member 8 is removed, and the second connection pipe 24, the flexile tube 25a, the connection elbow 25b and the valve unit VU are removed and washed. After the washing, the components are assembled in the reverse order of disassembly.

Attachment Structure of Carrying Handle:

Designated as 60 is a carrying handle rotatably and detachably attached to a pair of handle mounting parts 61 and 61 protruding from both sides of the shoulder 3b of the body case 3 as shown in FIG. 20 via pivot pins (lock pins) 63 and 63 extending outward a predetermined length from the handle mounting parts 61 and 61. Each of the pivot pins 63 and 63 has a circular base part 63a and a tumbler-shaped end portion as shown in FIG. 19.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 17 and 18, the carrying handle 60 has an arcuate handle body 60a of a synthetic resin, a relatively thick grip 60b at the center of the handle body 60a, and relatively thick handle base parts 62a and 62a formed at the both ends of the handle body 60a and having tumbler-shaped fitting holes (key holes) 64 and 64 loosely engageable with the circular base parts 63a and 63a of the pivot pins 63 and 63. The tumbler shape of the pivot pins 63 and 63 and the fitting holes 64 and 64 is made up of a circular part (63a, 64a) and a sector part (63b, 64b) extending outward from the circular part. When the sector parts 63b and 64b are offset from each other by an angle θ2 as shown in FIG. 22, the fitting holes 64 and 64 are locked by the sector parts 63b and 63b so that the handle base parts 62a and 62a cannot be released from pivot pins 63 and 63. When the sector parts 63b and 64b are in a predetermined relative angular position in which they are axially aligned with each other as shown in FIG. 23, the engagement between the pivot pins 63 and 63 and the fitting holes 64 and 64 can be released and established again.

That is, when the pivot pins 63 and 63 are inserted into the fitting holes 64 and 64 and when the fitting holes 64 and 64 are placed at the circular base parts 63a and 63a as shown in FIG. 20, the carrying handle 60 can be freely rotated back and forth through about 180° The sector parts 63b and 63b of the pivot pins 63 and 63 extend vertically (A-A′ direction) as shown in FIG. 22, whereas the sector parts 64b and 64b of the fitting holes 64 and 64 of the carrying handle 60 extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the carrying handle (O-O′ direction) as shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 21.

When the passage cover 30 has been attached to the body case 3, even if the carrying handle 60 is fully rotated forward, the grip part 60b of the carrying handle 60 interferes with the upper wall 34 of the passage cover 30 as shown in FIG. 24. Then, the sector parts 63b and 63b of the pivot pins 63 and 63 and the sector parts 64b and 64b of the fitting holes 64 and 64 of the carrying handle 60 are offset from each other by an angle θ2 as shown in FIG. 22, the carrying handle 60 cannot be removed from the handle mounting parts 61 and 61.

The offset between the sector parts 63b and 64b (the angle θ2) is maximum when the carrying handle 60 is within the range between the upright position (A-A′) as shown in FIG. 25, that is, in the position in which it is used to carry the liquid container, and the rear horizontal position. Therefore, the carrying handle 60 can be used safely.

When the carrying handle 60 is rotated forward after the passage cover 30 has been completely removed, it can be placed horizontally on the top plate 3a as shown in FIG. 26. Then, the sector parts 63b and 63b of the pivot pins 63 and 63 are axially aligned with the sector parts 64b and 64b of the fitting holes 64 and 64 as shown in FIG. 23, and the carrying handle 60 can be removed. In other states, the carrying handle 60 cannot be removed from the mounting parts 61 and 61 of the body case 3 and maintained in an engaged condition since the sector parts 63b and 63b of the pivot pins 63 and 63 engage with the wall part around the fitting holes 64 and 64 other than the sector parts 64b and 64b as can be easily understood from FIG. 22.

When the carrying handle 60 is attached to the case body 3, the passage cover 30 is first removed and the carrying handle 60 is attached in the same horizontal position as it is removed. Then, fixing caps 62b and 62b are attached to the ends of the pivot pins as shown in FIG. 20. The fixing caps 62b and 62b may be press-fitted over the pivot pins 63 and 63 or threaded over the pivot pins 63 and 63.

The carrying handle 60 can be attached or detached even if the passage cover 30 is not completely removed. For example, the carrying handle 60 can be attached or detached when the passage cover 30 is displaced outward to the extent that the carrying handle 60 can be tilted to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 27.

Each of the handle mounting parts 61 and 61 are located on the top plate 3a in such a position that when the carrying handle 60 and the fixing caps 62b and 62b are attached, the fixing caps 62b and 62b are positioned inside an extension of the side wall of the trunk 3c at a distance “a” as shown in FIG. 20. Therefore, the trunk 3c of the body case 3 can be slender and simple, and the liquid container can be placed in a narrow space.

Although the carrying handle 60 has fitting holes 64 and 64 and the handle mounting parts 61 and 61 have pivot pins 63 and 63 in the above embodiment, pivot pins similar to the pivot pins 63 and 63 may be provided in the carrying handle 60 and fitting holes similar to the fitting holes 64 and 64 may be provided in the handle mounting parts 61 and 61.

Placement:

Although the liquid container constituted as described above can be placed on the edge of a table or the like as it is since it has a plurality of leg members 90 secured to the lower side of the bottom member 8, it may be placed on a dedicated table having a prescribed height and a semi-circular cutout at the front. When a cup such as a coffee cup is placed below the liquid discharge port 9 and the manual operation part 13a of the operation lever 13 is tilted forward, the liquid in the inner vessel can be poured into the cup.

Another Embodiment

In the above embodiment, the valve unit VU itself cannot be disassembled, so that the inside of the valve unit (the third passage) is difficult to wash. The structure of a disassemblable valve unit VU will be described as another embodiment.

In this case, the spring receiver 16a at the end of the valve stem 12a is removable from the valve stem 12a as shown in FIG. 28. The spring receiver 16a has an oblong hole 91, and the valve stem 12a has an oblong projection 92 at its end. The hole 91 of the spring receiver 16a and the projection 92 of the valve stem 12a are aligned with each other, and the spring receiver 16a is pressed onto the valve stem 12a. When the hole 91 is passed the projection 92, the spring receiver 16a is rotated by 90°. Then, the projection 92 is engaged with the edge of the hole 91, and attachment of the spring receiver to the valve stem 12a is completed.

To remove the spring receiver 16a from the valve stem 12a, when the spring receiver 16a is rotated in the opposite direction through 90° to align the hole 91 and the projection 92 with each other, the spring receiver 16a can be easily removed from the valve stem 12a. In this state, the cutoff valve 12 can be pulled out of the passage-forming member 14. That is, the valve unit VU can be disassembled.

Further Embodiments

The above embodiments may be modified in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention further provides the liquid containers as defined below.

(1) A liquid container, comprising a container body with a thermal insulation function for storing a liquid, and a carrying handle rotatably and removably attached to an upper part of said container body, wherein one of said container body and said carrying handle has a pair of pivot pins and the other of said container body and said carrying handle has a pair of fitting holes, said pivot pins and said fitting holes being shaped to permit the insertion of said pivot pins through the corresponding fitting holes in respective predetermined relative angular positions and to permit the rotation of said carrying handle with the inserted pivot pins as the center of rotation.

(2) A liquid container as set forth in (1) above, further comprising a member detachably attached on said container body in a fixed position such that said member is engageable with said carrying handle to limit the rotation range of said carrying handle and to prevent said fitting holes and pivot pins from assuming respective predetermined relative angular positions when said member is mounted on said container body in said fixed position but permits the fitting holes and pivot pins to assume respective predetermined relative angular positions when said member is displaced from said fixed position and is no longer engageable with said carrying handle.

(3) A liquid container as set forth in (1) or (2) above, further comprising a liquid discharge passage for directing the liquid stored in said container body to the outside of said container body and a valve unit having a liquid discharge port as an outlet to the outside of the container body and a cutoff valve operable to stop the flow of liquid to said liquid discharge port and detachably disposed in said liquid discharge passage.

(4) A liquid container as set forth in any one of (1) to (3) above, further comprising a liquid level pipe for indicating the amount of liquid in said container body, and first and second packing seals attached to upper and lower ends of said liquid level pipe, wherein adhesion preventing means are provided on both ends of said liquid level pipe where said first and second packing seals are attached for preventing breakage of said upper and lower ends of sail liquid level pipe and adhesion of said upper and lower ends of sail liquid level pipe to said first and second packing seals, and wherein said liquid level can be detached from said body case with said first and said second packing being left on the container body.

(5) A liquid container as set forth in (4) above, wherein each of said first and second packing seals has a plurality of annular projections at axially spaced points on a surface thereof to be in contact with said liquid level pipe.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all the changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2004-379504	Dec 2004	JP	national
2004-379510	Dec 2004	JP	national
2004-378474	Dec 2004	JP	national

Liquid container

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

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Priority Claims (3)