STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A storage container includes an insulating container having an opening; a temperature controlling unit that is independent of the insulating container and detachably attached to the opening of the insulating container in a manner closing and sealing a portion of the opening; and a main lid attached to the opening of the insulating container in a manner closing and sealing an other portion of the opening. The temperature controlling unit is composed of an insulative sub-lid; and a temperature controlling subunit provided on the sub-lid. The temperature controlling subunit is composed of a base fitted into a through-hole formed on the sub-lid; and a Stirling refrigerator including a temperature control effect member thermally exposed inside the insulating container. Accordingly, the interior of the insulating container of an arbitrary size can be cooled, and items can be continuously stored longer than when using conventional solid carbon dioxide or cold reserving agent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/185,050, filed on Jul. 20, 2005, the benefit of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120, and is further incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to Japanese patent application No. JP2004-242952 filed on Aug. 23, 2004 and No. JP2004-278464 filed on Sep. 24, 2004, which both are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a temperature controlling unit and a storage container using the same, and more particularly, to a storage container for transportation.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a conventional container for transportation comprises an insulating container and a cover, both made of foam synthetic resins, and holds solid carbon dioxide, a cold reserving agent or the like inside, thereby cooling the interior of the storage container. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-304402 discloses an electronic cooling or heating container comprising an insulating container with an openable and closable lid, in which the insulating container has a built-in cooling or heating unit (corresponding to a temperature controlling unit of the present invention). Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 2553022 discloses a cooling or heating container with a lid which openably and closably covers the opening of an insulating box (corresponding to an insulating container of the present invention), and has a built-in cooling or heating apparatus (corresponding to the temperature controlling unit of the present invention). Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-311576 discloses a cooling box with a lid which openably and closably covers the opening of a box (corresponding to the insulating container of the present invention), and has a built-in a cooling apparatus (corresponding to the temperature controlling unit of the present invention).

The container which cools the interior by solid carbon dioxide, a cold reserving agent or the like, however, has a problem such that as solid carbon dioxide sublimes or the cold reserving agent melts down due to heat from stored items or heat from the exterior of the container, it takes a lot of trouble for refilling solid carbon dioxide or replacing the cold reserving agent to keep the stored items in the container for a long time. In the case of using solid carbon dioxide, its repetitive use over a long period of time increases not only the amount of the solid carbon dioxide, which eventually increases the running cost, but also the density of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as the solid carbon dioxide gasifies due to the sublimation. While the containers of the above described Japanese publications neither require such a labor nor suffer such an environmental burden, they are unable to store items with larger volumes than the internal volumes of the containers due to the pre-limited inner volumes, and they are relatively heavy and expensive. Accordingly, there is a problem in using them for transportation.

The present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage container which enables the storage of items over a long period of time at low running cost and allows its volume to be set relatively freely.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively lightweight and inexpensive storage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A storage container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a storage container comprising: an insulating container which has an opening; a temperature controlling unit which is independent of said insulating container, said temperature controlling unit being detachably attached to said opening of said insulating container in such a manner as to close and seal a portion of said opening; and a main lid which is attached to said opening of said insulating container in such a manner as to close and seal an other portion of said opening, wherein said temperature controlling unit comprises: an insulative sub-lid; and a temperature controlling subunit which is provided on said sub-lid, said temperature controlling subunit comprises: a base which is fitted into a through-hole formed on said sub-lid; and a Stirling refrigerator, said Stirling refrigerator including a temperature control effect member which is thermally exposed inside said insulating container.

Thus, in order that the temperature control effect member of the temperature control subunit may be thermally exposed inside the insulating container, the temperature controlling unit that is independent of the insulating container is detachably attached to the opening of the insulating container in a manner closing and sealing a portion of the opening, while the main lid is openably and closably attached to an other portion of the opening to thereby constitute the storage container, whereby the interior of the container is cooled. Further, as any arbitrary sizes of the insulating container and the main lid may be chosen as long as they are within a range that allows the temperature controlling unit to be attached thereto, it is possible to set a volume of the storage container relatively freely. Furthermore, as the interior space defined by the insulating container and the lid is cooled by the temperature controlling unit, items to be stored can be stored for a longer period of time. Moreover, as solid carbon dioxide, etc. is not used in cooling the interior of the storage container by the temperature controlling unit, the running cost thereof can be reduced, and environmental burden can be suppressed as gasified carbon dioxide is not generated. Additionally, the temperature controlling unit can be simply formed by fitting the base provided on the temperature controlling subunit into the through-hole of the sub-lid. In addition to the foregoing, as the interior of the storage container is cooled by the Stirling refrigerator, the interior of the storage container can be cooled to a very low temperature at a low running cost, and the container as a whole can relatively have a light-weight structure.

The storage container according to the second aspect of the present invention is the one where the temperature controlling subunit further includes an attachment member for attaching said temperature controlling subunit to said sub-lid.

Thus, the temperature controlling device is attached to the sub-lid together with the temperature controlling subunit by the attachment member, whereby not only can the temperature controlling unit be assembled easily but the temperature controlling units of various sizes can be easily obtained by attaching the common temperature controlling subunit to the sub-lids of various sizes.

The storage container according to the third aspect of the present invention is the one where the main lid, the sub-lid and the insulating container are made of foam synthetic resins.

Accordingly, the main lid, the sub-lid and the insulating container can be made lightweight and inexpensive, and thus not only can the storage container be relatively made lightweight and inexpensive, but also can the main lid, the sub-lid and the insulating container be relatively easily formed to an arbitrary size.

The storage container according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the one where the container is a portable cooler box.

Accordingly, it is possible to transport the storage container in which the temperature of the interior of the insulating container is controlled to cool the interior thereof.

The storage container according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the one where said temperature controlling unit is detached and the opening of said insulating container is closed and sealed by the lid of said insulating container, when the cooling of said temperature controlling unit is not required at the time of transporting, by manpower, the storage container where the temperature of the interior thereof is already controlled by said temperature controlling unit.

Accordingly, the temperature controlling unit can be detached and replaced by the lid of the insulating container at the time of transportation, whereby the storage container as a whole can be made lighter.

The storage container according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the one where the main lid is divided into a plurality of small lids.

Accordingly, even if the insulating container is large-sized, in other words, even if the main lid is large-sized, it is possible to easily open and close the main lid. Also, as the opened area of the insulating container can be minimized when items to be stored are put in or taken out of the storage container, the temperature change inside the insulating container can be minimized.

The storage container according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the one where the small lids dividing the main lid are foldably connected, thereby forming the main lid.

Thus, even when opening or closing only one of the small lids, it is possible to remove the risk of losing the same as it interconnects with an other of the small lids. And even when fully opening or closing the main lid, the main lid can be easily opened or closed by folding the main lid to thereby reduce the turning radius.

The storage container according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is the one where a flexible piece is provided on both ends of the small lids with respect to an alignment direction thereof, said flexible piece being provided with a first hook-and-loop fastener, while a second hook-and-loop fastener corresponding to said first hook-and-loop fastener is provided on said insulating container and said sub-lid.

Thus, the main lid can be hingeably attached to one edge of the opening of the insulating container by flexing the flexible piece. Further, the main lid can be opened and closed toward either one of both ends of the small lids with respect to the alignment direction thereof by releasing a first hook-and-loop fastener of either one of the flexible pieces provided on both ends of the small lids from a second hook-and-loop fastener fixed to one edge of the opening of the insulating container.

The storage container according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the one where said temperature controlling unit is attached to a substantially central portion in the opening of said insulating container so that the opening of said insulating container may be divided by said temperature controlling unit into two smaller openings, said two smaller openings being capable of being opened or closed and sealed by said main lid, respectively.

Thus, when the storage container is transported by manpower, the relatively heavy temperature controlling unit is located on the substantially central portion in the opening of the insulating container, i.e. the substantial center of the insulating container, whereby the center of gravity of the storage container can be prevented from being biased, so that it can be easily transported by manpower, while leading to small deviation of the temperature in the interior of the insulating container.

The storage container according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is the one where a mounting surface contacting respective lower surfaces of said main lid and said sub-lid is formed along a circumference of the opening of said insulating container, while said temperature controlling unit is movably provided on said mounting surface.

Thus, even when relatively bigger stored items are taken out from the storage container, or even when stored items lying beneath the temperature controlling unit are taken out from the storage container, they can be easily taken out therefrom by moving the temperature controlling unit on the mounting surface.

The container according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the one where a step member is formed on said sub-lid and said main lid so that the step member of said main lid contacts the step member of said sub-lid.

Thus, the step member of the main lid contacts the step member of the sub-lid, thereby reducing the possibility of forming a gap between the main lid and the sub-lid, and thus the insulating performance of the storage container can be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These objects, other objects, and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention representing a storage container using a temperature controlling unit;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the essential parts of the storage container;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the storage container;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the storage container with the temperature controlling unit detached and a second lid attached;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the essential parts of the storage container using the temperature controlling unit;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the storage container;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the storage container using the temperature controlling unit;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container one of small lids of which is folded to open;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container the other of the small lids of which is folded to open;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container in which the main lid shown in FIG. 13 is fully opened by flexing the flexible pieces;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container in which the main lid shown in FIG. 14 is fully opened by flexing the flexible pieces;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container the main lid of which is fully opened;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view illustrating the storage container in which the main lid is fully opened and the temperature controlling unit is moved from the central portion;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view illustrating a storage container using a temperature controlling unit according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The first embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Reference number 1 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 1 comprises a temperature controlling unit 2 and an insulating container 3.

The temperature controlling unit 2 comprises a lid 4 formed with a through-hole 4A in a substantial center thereof, and a temperature controlling subunit 5. The lid 4 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. A step member 4B is formed on the through-hole 4A, and a later described base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is placed on the step member 4B. The temperature controlling subunit 5 comprises a Stirling refrigerator 6 as a temperature controlling device, a casing 7 for containing the Stirling refrigerator 6, and the base 8 for supporting the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the casing 7. The Stirling refrigerator 6 is set up side down. A heat absorbing sink 9 is attached to a heat absorbing portion 6B, formed on a leading end of a cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6, in a heat-conductive manner, and a heat exhausting sink 10 is attached to a heat exhausting portion 6C formed on a base end of the cylindrical portion 6A in a heat-conductive manner. The heat absorbing sink 9 is attached to a lower surface side of the base 8 in an exposed manner, and the heat exhausting sink 10 is arranged in the interior of the casing 7. A lower portion of the casing 7 is formed with an opening 7A for air intake and an attachment member 7B for fixing the temperature controlling subunit 5. An upper portion thereof is formed with an opening 7C for air exhaust, and a fan 11 is attached to the opening 7C. A sealing member 12 is provided in between the outer circumference of the heat exhausting sink 10 and the inner wall of the casing 7, so that the space can be sealed. A substantial center of the base 8 is formed with a through-hole 8A, and the outer circumference of the base 8 is formed with a step member 8B in association with the step member 4B, so that the base 8 can fit into the through-hole 4A. The inner diameter of the through-hole 8A is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6, and space between the cylindrical portion 6A and the through-hole 8A is sealed by a sealing member 13 which is made of an insulative foam rubber or the like. The heat absorbing sink 9 is so formed as to have a size not to protrude from the outer circumference of a lower portion of the base 8. A fan 14 is so provided adjacent to the heat absorbing sink 9 as to allow airflow to pass through the heat absorbing sink 9. A temperature control effect member A is structured by the heat absorbing portion 6B of the Stirling refrigerator 6, the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14. An operating member 15 is provided on a front side of the casing 7, and a non-illustrated controlling circuit is accommodated in the operating member 15.

The insulating container 3 is so structured as to include a right wall 3A, a left wall 3B, a front wall 3C, a rear wall 3D, a bottom wall 3E and a lid 16 for the insulating container 3 as a second lid. Each of the walls 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and lid 16 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and each of the entire surfaces is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. When assembled as the insulating container 3, the surfaces of the walls 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E to be the outside surface of the storage container are covered with a cover 17 made of an infrared reflection film. The edge of the lid 16 is attached to an upper end of the cover 17. According to the aforementioned structure, it is possible to easily and inexpensively manufacture the insulating container 3 of an arbitrary size.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 2 of the first embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled. To be more precise, the heat exhausting sink 10 is attached to the heat exhausting portion 6C of the Stirling refrigerator 6, and the sealing member 13 is attached to the outer circumference between the heat absorbing portion 6B and the heat exhausting portion 6C in the cylindrical portion 6A. The sealing member 12 is attached to the circumference of the heat exhausting sink 10, the Stirling refrigerator 6 is accommodated in the casing 7 with the Stirling refrigerator 6 being in a handstand condition. The fan 11 is attached to the exhausting opening 7C of the casing 7. The casing 7 accommodating the Stirling refrigerator 6 is attached to the base 8 by the attachment member 7B, and the cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6 is fit through the through-hole 8A of the base 8. At this time, the space between the through-hole 8A and the cylindrical portion 6A is sealed by the sealing member 13. The heat absorbing sink 9 is attached to the heat absorbing portion 6B formed on the leading end of a cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6, and the fan 14 is attached to adjacent to the heat absorbing sink 9. Electrical wirings of the Stirling refrigerator 6, the fans 11 and 14 are connected to the non-illustrated controlling circuit, and the controlling circuit is accommodated in the operating member 15. The temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled thus way. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the through-hole 4A of the lid 4. That is, the base 8 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 4A in such a manner as to allow the step member 8B formed on the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 to mount on the step 4B of the through-hole 4A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the lid 4. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 9 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 8, the heat absorbing sink 9 does not interfere with the through-hole 4A when the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the lid 4. As the temperature controlling unit 2 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 5 to the lid 4 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 2 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 2 that can match the insulating containers 3 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 5 and changing the lid 4 only. Although the lid 4 is covered with an infrared reflection film, but basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the lids 4 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 2 inexpensively.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will now be explained. First, items which were refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 3, and the temperature controlling unit 2 is attached to an opening 3F of the insulating container 3. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 2 is so attached as to allow the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14 to be in the interior of the insulating container 3. The operating member 15 is operated, thereby operating the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the fans 11, 14. As the Stirling refrigerator 6 operates, the heat absorbing portion 6B is brought into a low temperature state, while the heat exhausting portion 6C is brought into a high temperature state. The heat absorbing portion 6B brought into the low temperature state absorbs heat from the heat absorbing sink 9 thermally contacting the heat absorbing portion 6B and the air inside the insulating container 3 where the heat absorbing sink 9 is exposed, and conducts this absorbed heat to the heat exhausting portion 6C. The heat conducted to the heat exhausting portion 6C is exhausted from the heat exhausting sink 10. As the air inside the insulating container 3 is allowed to flow the heat absorbing sink 9 by the fan 14, it is evenly and efficiently cooled by the Stirling refrigerator 6. As the fan 11 operates, fresh air flows in via the opening 7A for air intake of the casing 7, passes through the heat exhausting sink 10, the surroundings of a body portion 6D of the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the fan 11 via the opening 7C for air exhaust, and exhausted to the exterior of the casing 7. At this time, the heat exhausting sink 10 and the body portion 6D of the Stirling refrigerator 6 are cooled by airflow generated by the fan 11. As the interior of the insulating container 3 is cooled thus way, the items inside the insulating container 3 are cooled. As the insulating container 3 itself is made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, it has an extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 2 also has a relatively light-weight structure as including the lid 4 made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 5 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 1 using the temperature controlling unit 2 as a whole can have a relatively light-weight structure. As the surroundings of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape forming the lid 4 and the insulating container 3 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared, that is, heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 1 from the outside thereof, the interior of the storage container 1 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature. In transporting the storage container 1 where the temperature of the interior thereof is already controlled by the temperature controlling unit 2, by manpower, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the temperature controlling unit 2 may be detached and the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 may be closed and sealed by the lid 16 of the insulating container 3, when the cooling of the temperature controlling unit 2 is not required.

As explained above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the temperature controlling subunit 5, using the Stirling refrigerator 6 as the temperature controlling device, is attached to the insulative lid 4, and the heat absorbing sink 9, forming the temperature control effect member A of the temperature control subunit 5, is thermally exposed at one side of the lid 4 as to work as the temperature controlling unit 2, whereby the interior of the insulating container 3 of an arbitrary size, with the opening 3F closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 2, can be cooled, and thus items to be stored can be continuously stored for a longer time compared with solid carbon dioxide and a cold reserving agent conventionally used. As the lid 4 is made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape in a single-piece manner, the first embodiment of the present invention not only enables the lid 4 and further the entire temperature controlling unit 2 to be light and inexpensive, but also allows the lid 4 to be easily structured in an arbitrary size. Moreover, according to the first embodiment, by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 5 to the lid 4 by the attachment member 7B, the Stirling refrigerator 6 is attached to the lid 4 together with the temperature controlling subunit 5 by the attachment member 7B, whereby the temperature controlling units 2 of various sizes can be easily assembled by attaching the common temperature controlling subunit 5 to the lids 4 of various sizes. As solid carbon dioxide, etc. is not used for the cooling the interior of the storage container 1, the running cost can be reduced, and environmental burden can be suppressed as gasified carbon dioxide is not generated. Making the insulating container 3 of foam synthetic resin can make the insulating container 3 light and inexpensive. Accordingly, not only the whole container 1 can be made light and inexpensive, but also the insulating container 3 can be easily structured in an arbitrary size. According to the first embodiment, in transporting the storage container 1 whose interior is cooled by the temperature controlling unit 2, by manpower, the temperature controlling unit 2 may be detached and the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 may be closed and sealed by the lid 16 of the insulating container 3, when the cooling of the temperature controlling unit 2 is not required, whereby the storage container 1 as a whole when transported by manpower can be made lighter. Further, according to the first embodiment, as the temperature controlling device is the Stirling refrigerator 6 which is small in size and light, and able to cool the interior of the storage container 1 to a very low temperature at low power, the interior of the storage container 1 can be cooled to a very low temperature at a low running cost, and the storage container 1 as a whole can have a light-weight structure.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 5. The same structure portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted. A temperature controlling unit 21 of a storage container 20 comprises a lid 22 formed with a through-hole 22A on a substantial center thereof, and a temperature controlling subunit 23. The lid 22 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. A step member 22B is formed on the through-hole 22A, and a later described base 25 of the temperature controlling subunit 23 is placed on the step member 22B. The temperature controlling subunit 23 is so comprised as to include the Stirling refrigerator 6 as the temperature controlling device, a casing 24 for containing the Stirling refrigerator 6, and the base 25 for supporting the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the casing 24. The Stirling refrigerator 6 is laterally supported, a heat absorbing sink 27 is attached to the heat absorbing portion 6B, formed on the leading end of the cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6, in a heat-conductive manner via a heat conductive block 26, and the heat exhausting sink 10 is attached to the heat exhausting portion 6C formed on the base end of the cylindrical portion 6A in a heat-conductive manner. The heat absorbing sink 27 is attached to a lower surface side of the base 25 in an exposed manner, and the heat exhausting sink 10 is arranged inside the casing 24. The heat absorbing portion 6B and the heat conductive block 26 are covered with an insulating material 28 inside the casing 24. The casing 24 is formed with an opening 24A for air intake on a cylindrical portion 6A side of the Stirling refrigerator 6. A lower portion of the casing 24 is formed with an attachment member 24B for fixing the temperature controlling subunit 23. A body portion 6D side of the Stirling refrigerator 6 of the casing 24 is formed with opening 24C for air exhaust, and the fan 11 is attached to the opening 24C. A through-hole 24D for allowing the heat conductive block 26 to pass through is formed on a lower portion of the casing 24 adjacent to the cylindrical portion 6A of the Stirling refrigerator 6. The sealing member 12 is provided in between the outer circumference of the heat exhausting sink 10 and the inner wall of the casing 24, so that the space can be sealed. The base 25 is formed with a through-hole 25A in association with the heat conductive block 26, and the outer circumference of the base 25 is formed with a step member 25B in association with the step member 22B, so that the base 25 can fit into the through-hole 22A. The inner size of the through-hole 25A is larger than the outer size of the heat conductive block 26, and space between the heat conductive block 26 and the through-hole 25A is sealed by a sealing member 29 which is made of an insulative foam rubber or the like. The heat absorbing sink 27 is so formed as to have a size not to protrude from the outer circumference of a lower portion of the base 25. The fan 14 is so provided adjacent to the heat absorbing sink 27 as to allow airflow to pass through the heat absorbing sink 27. A temperature control effect member B is structured by the heat absorbing portion 6B of the Stirling refrigerator 6, the heat conductive block 26, the heat absorbing sink 27 and the fan 14. A non-illustrated operating member is provided on a front side of the casing 24, and a non-illustrated controlling circuit is accommodated in the operating member.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 21 of the second embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 23 is assembled. To be more precise, the heat exhausting sink 10 is attached to the heat exhausting portion 6C of the Stirling refrigerator 6, the heat conductive block 26 is attached to the heat absorbing portion 6B of the cylindrical portion 6A, and the outer circumferences of the heat absorbing portion 6B and the heat conductive block 26 are covered with the insulating material 28 and the sealing member 29. The sealing member 12 is attached to the circumference of the heat exhausting sink 10, the Stirling refrigerator 6 is laterally accommodated in the casing 24. At this time, the heat conductive block 26 is allowed to pass through the through-hole 24D. The fan 11 is attached to the exhausting opening 24C of the casing 24. The casing 24 accommodating the Stirling refrigerator 6 is attached to the base 25 by the attachment member 24B, and the heat conductive block 26 is fit through the through-hole 25A of the base 25. At this time, the space between the through-hole 25A and the heat conductive block 26 is sealed by the sealing member 29. The heat absorbing sink 27 is attached to a lower end of the heat conductive block 26, and the fan 14 is attached to adjacent to the heat absorbing sink 27. The electrical wirings of the Stirling refrigerator 6, the fans 11 and 14 are connected to the non-illustrated controlling circuit, and the controlling circuit is accommodated in the non-illustrated operating member. The temperature controlling subunit 23 is assembled thus way. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the through-hole 22A of the lid 22. That is, the base 25 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 22A in such a manner as to allow the step member 25B formed on the base 25 of the temperature controlling subunit 23 to mount on the step 22B of the through-hole 22A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the lid 22. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 27 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 25, the heat absorbing sink 27 does not interfere with the through-hole 22A when the temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the lid 22. As the temperature controlling unit 21 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 23 to the lid 22 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 21 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 21 that can match the insulating containers 3 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 23 and changing the lid 22 only. Although the lid 22 is covered with an infrared reflection film, but basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the lids 22 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 21 inexpensively.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will now be explained. First, items which were refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 3, and the temperature controlling unit 21 is attached to the opening 3F of the insulating container 3. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 21 is so attached as to allow the heat absorbing sink 27 and the fan 14 to be in the interior of the insulating container 3. The non-illustrated operating member is operated, thereby operating the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the fans 11, 14. As the Stirling refrigerator 6 operates, the heat absorbing portion 6B is brought into a low temperature state, while the heat exhausting portion 6C is brought into a high temperature state. The heat absorbing portion 6B brought into the low temperature state absorbs heat from the heat conductive block 26 and the heat absorbing sink 27 both thermally contacting the heat absorbing portion 6B and the air inside the insulating container 3 where the heat absorbing sink 27 is exposed, and conducts this absorbed heat to the heat exhausting portion 6C. The heat conducted to the heat exhausting portion 6C is exhausted from the heat exhausting sink 10. As the air inside the insulating container 3 is allowed to flow the heat absorbing sink 27 by the fan 14, it is evenly and efficiently cooled by the Stirling refrigerator 6. As the fan 11 operates, fresh air flows in via the opening 24A for air intake of the casing 24, passes through the heat exhausting sink 10, the surroundings of a body portion 6D of the Stirling refrigerator 6 and the fan 11 via the opening 24C for air exhaust, and exhausted to the outside of the casing 24. At this time, the heat exhausting sink 10 and the body portion 6D of the Stirling refrigerator 6 are cooled by airflow generated by the fan 11. As the interior of the insulating container 3 is cooled thus way, the items inside the insulating container 3 are cooled. As the insulating container 3 itself is made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, it has an extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 21 also has a relatively light-weight structure as including the lid 22 made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 23 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 20 using the temperature controlling unit 21 as a whole can have a relatively light-weight structure. As the surroundings of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape forming the lid 22 and the insulating container 3 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared, that is, heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 20 from the outside thereof, the interior of the storage container 20 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature.

The same effectiveness as that of the first embodiment can be obtained according to the second embodiment.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 6. The same structure portions as the aforementioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted. Explanations of the similar effectiveness will be also omitted here. Reference number 30 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 30 comprises a temperature controlling unit 31 and a lid 32. The lid 32 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The lid 32 is openably and closably attached to an opening 33F of a later described insulating container 33 which constitutes the temperature controlling unit 31.

The temperature controlling unit 31 comprises an insulating container 33 and the temperature controlling subunit 23. The insulating container 33 is so structured as to include a right wall 33A, a left wall 33B, a front wall (not illustrated), a rear wall 33D and a bottom wall 33E. Each of the walls 33A, 33B, 33D, 33E, and non-illustrated front wall is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and each of the entire surfaces is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. When assembled as the insulating container 33, the surfaces of the walls 33A, 33B, 33D, and 33E, and the non-illustrated front wall to be the outside surface of the storage container are covered with a cover 34 made of an infrared reflection film. The right wall 33A is formed with a through-hole 33G, the through-hole 33G is formed with a step member 33H, and the step member 25B formed on the outer circumference of the base 25 of the temperature controlling subunit 23 contact the step member 33H in association with the step member 33H, so that the base 25 can fit into the through-hole 33G. In the temperature controlling subunit 23, the Stirling refrigerator 6 inside thereof is in a standing condition, other structures thereof are the same as those of the second embodiment.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 31 of the third embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 23 is assembled. The assembling of the temperature controlling subunit 23 is the same as that of the second embodiment. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the through-hole 33G formed in the right wall 33A of the insulating container 33. That is, the base 25 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 33G in such a manner as to allow the step member 25B formed on the base 25 of the temperature controlling subunit 23 to contact the step member 33H of the through-hole 33G, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the insulating container 33. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 27 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 25, the heat absorbing sink 27 does not interfere with the through-hole 33G when the temperature controlling subunit 23 is attached to the insulating container 33. As the temperature controlling unit 31 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 23 to the insulating container 33 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 31 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 31 that can match the lids 32 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 23 and changing the insulating container 33 only. Although the insulating container 33 is covered with an infrared reflection film and the cover 34, but each of the walls 33A, 33B, 33D, 33E and the non-illustrated front wall of the insulating container 33 is basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the insulating containers 33 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 31 inexpensively. In the third embodiment, although the walls 33A, 33B, 33D, 33E and the non-illustrated front wall of the insulating container 33 are individually formed, but they may be integrally formed with one another. The insulating containers 33 of various sizes can be also easily and inexpensively obtained in this case.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will now be explained. First, items which were refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 33 of the temperature controlling unit 31, and the lid 32 is attached to an opening 33F of the insulating container 33. The operation of the temperature controlling subunit 23 is the same as those of the second embodiment. As the lid 32 itself is made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, it has an extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 31 also has a relatively light-weight structure as including the insulating container 33 made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 23 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 30 using the temperature controlling unit 31 as a whole can have a relatively light-weight structure. As the surroundings of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape forming the lid 32 and the insulating container 33 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared, that is, heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 30 from the outside thereof, the interior of the storage container 30 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature.

The same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments can be obtained by the third embodiment. In addition, according to the third embodiment, as the insulating container 33 is made of a foam synthetic resin, the insulating container 33, and further the entire temperature controlling unit 31 can be light and inexpensive, but also the insulating container 33 can be structured in an arbitrary size.

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 7. The same structure portions as the aforementioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof and effectiveness will be omitted. Reference number 40 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 40 comprises a temperature controlling unit 41, a main lid 42 and the insulating container 3.

The temperature controlling unit 41 comprises a sub-lid 43 formed with a through-hole 43A on a substantial center thereof, and the temperature controlling subunit 5. The sub-lid 43 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The sub-lid 43 is so formed as to have a size partially closing and sealing the opening 3F of the insulating container 3. A step member 43B is formed on the through-hole 43A, and the step member 8B, formed on the outer circumference of the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 in association with the step member 43B, so contacts the step member 43B as to allow the base 8 to fit into the through-hole 43A, whereby the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is placed on the sub-lid 43.

The main lid 42 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The main lid 42 is openably and closably attached to the opening 3F in such a manner as to close and seal the remaining portion of the opening 3F not closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 41.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 41 of the fourth embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled. The assembling of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the through-hole 43A formed in the sub-lid 43. That is, the base 8 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 43A in such a manner as to allow the step member 8B formed on the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 to mount on the step 43B of the through-hole 43A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 43. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 9 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 8, the heat absorbing sink 9 does not interfere with the through-hole 43A when the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 43. As the temperature controlling unit 41 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 5 to the sub-lid 43 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 41 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 41 that can match the insulating containers 3 and the main lids 42 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 5 and changing the sub-lid 43 only. Although the sub-lid 43 is covered with an infrared reflection film, but basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the sub-lids 43 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 41 inexpensively.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will now be explained. First, items which were refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 3, the temperature controlling unit 41 is so attached to the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 as to partially close and seal the opening 3F, and the main lid 42 is so attached to the remaining portion of the opening 3F which is not closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 41. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 41 is so attached as to allow the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14 to be the interior of the insulating container 3. The operation of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus explanations thereof will be omitted at here. As the insulating container 3 and the main lid 42 are made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, they have extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 41 also has a relatively light-weight structure as including the sub-lid 43 made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 5 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 40 using the temperature controlling unit 41 as a whole can have a relatively light-weight structure. As the surroundings of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape forming the main lid 42, the sub-lid 43 and the insulating container 3 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared, that is, heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 40 from the outside thereof, the interior of the storage container 40 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature. Further, as the temperature controlling unit 41 and the main lid 42 are individually provided, the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 included in the storage container 40 can be easily opened and items to be stored can be easily put into and taken out from the storage container 40 with the temperature controlling unit 41 attached to the opening 3F and the light main lid 42 opened.

The same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments can be obtained by the fourth embodiment. In addition, according to the fourth embodiment, as the sub-lid 43 is made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, the sub-lid 43 and further the entire temperature controlling unit 41 can be light and inexpensive. Moreover, the sub-lid 43 can be easily structured in an arbitrary size. Additionally, the base 8 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 43A in such a manner as to allow the step member 8B formed on the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 to mount on the step 43B of the through-hole 43A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 5 can be attached to the sub-lid 43.

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. The same structure portions as the first and fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers. Reference number 50 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 50 comprises a temperature controlling unit 51 and the insulating container 3.

The temperature controlling unit 51 comprises a frame 53 which is formed in such a shape that two quadrangles with same widths are arranged as to have respective one edges to come in contact with each other, thereby having the common edge, the main lid 42 openably and closably attached to a first opening 53A as the opening of the frame 53, the sub-lid 43 attached to a second opening 53B, as the opening of the frame 53, and formed with the through-hole 43A on the substantial center thereof, and the temperature controlling subunit 5 to be attached to the through-hole 43A.

The frame 53 is so formed that the first opening 53A is larger than the second opening 53B. The frame 53 is made of a material having small heat conductivity like a synthetic resin, and desirably, engineering plastic of high-strength.

The main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43 have the same structures as the fourth embodiment. As the foam synthetic resin of the main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43, foam polyurethane, foam polystyrene, etc. can be used. In the fifth embodiment, one edge of the main lid 42 is freely movably fixed to the frame 53, thereby openably and closably closing and sealing the first opening 53A. The sub-lid 43 has, as same as the fourth embodiment, the through-hole 43A formed with the step member 43B for placing the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5. The temperature controlling subunit 5 has the same structure as the first embodiment.

The insulating container 3 has the right wall 3A, the left wall 3B, the front wall 3C, the rear wall 3D, the bottom wall 3E and the lid 16 for the insulating container 3 as the second lid, and it has a foldable structure. Each of the walls 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, and the lid 16 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and each of the entire surfaces is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. When assembled as the insulating container 3, the surfaces of the walls 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E to be the outside surface of the container 3 are covered with the cover 17. The cover 17 is as same as that of the first embodiment. The edge of the lid 16 is freely movably attached to the upper end of the cover 17. As the insulating container 3 is foldable, it can save space by folding the walls 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and the lid 16 when unused.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 51 of the fifth embodiment will now be explained. First, as same as the first and the fourth embodiments, the temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled and attached to the sub-lid 43. At this time, as same as the fourth embodiment, the heat absorbing sink 9 does not interfere with the through-hole 43A when the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 43.

The main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43 with the temperature controlling subunit 5, attached thereto thus way, are attached to the first opening 53A and the second opening 53B, respectively. To be more precise, the sub-lid 43 is fixed to the second opening 53B of the frame 53, while the main lid 42 is so attached to the first opening 53A as to allow the one edge thereof to be freely movable for the frame 53. That is, the main lid 42 freely movably attached to the frame 53 openably and closably closes and seals the first opening 53A. As the temperature controlling unit 51 is structured by attaching the main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43 with the temperature controlling subunit 5 attached thereto, to the frame 53, the same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments can be obtained by using the common temperature controlling subunit 5 and changing the frame 53, the main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43. Although the main lid 42 and the sub-lid 43 are also covered with an infrared reflection film in this embodiment, but each basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus they can obtain the same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will now be explained. First, items which were refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 3, and the temperature controlling unit 51 is so attached to the upper end of the insulating container 3 as to close and seal the opening of the insulating container 3. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 51 is so attached as to allow the frame 53 to contact the upper end of the insulating container 3, that is, as to allow the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14 to be the interior of the insulating container 3. The operation of the temperature controlling subunit 5, the main lid 42, the sub-lid 43 and the insulating container 53 are the same as the aforementioned embodiment.

According to the fifth embodiment, as the frame 53 is made of a low heat-conductive material, it is possible to prevent infrared, that is, heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 50 from the outside thereof via the frame 53. When the storage container 50 is unused, it can save space by detaching the temperature controlling unit 51 and folding the insulating container 52 as explained above.

As explained above, the same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments can be obtained by the fifth embodiment. In addition, according to the fifth embodiment, as the frame 53 is made of a synthetic resin or the like as a low heat-conductive material, it is possible to prevent heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 50 from the outside thereof, and thus the temperature of the interior thereof can be efficiently controlled.

Next, the sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. The same structure portions as the aforementioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof as well as effectiveness thereof will be omitted. Reference number 60 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 60 comprises the temperature controlling unit 41, a main lid 61 and the insulating container 3.

The temperature controlling unit 41 comprises the sub-lid 43 formed with the through-hole 43A on a substantial center thereof, and the temperature controlling subunit 5. The sub-lid 43 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The sub-lid 43 is so formed as to have a size partially closing and sealing the opening 3F of the insulating container 3. The step member 43B is formed on the through-hole 43A, while the step member 8B, formed on the outer circumference of the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5, corresponding to the step member 43B is abutted against the stem member 43B so that the base 8 may be fitted into the through-hole 43A, whereby the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is placed on the sub-lid 43. On the other hand, a step member 43C is formed adjacent to the main lid 61 in the sub-lid 43, while a step member 63A, formed on one end portion of a later-described small lid 63 of the main lid 61, corresponding to the step member 43C, is abutted against the step member 43C, whereby the main lid 61 is placed on the sub-lid 43.

The main lid 61 is divided into a plurality of small lids 62,63, which are foldably connected with each other. The small lids 62,63 are each made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and their entire surfaces are each covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The main lid 61 formed by these mutually-foldably connected small lids 62,63, is openably and closably attached to the opening 3F in such a manner as to close and seal the remaining portion of the opening 3F that is not closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 41.

Further, a plurality of rectangular flexible pieces 64,65 are each attached to both ends of the small lids 62,63 constructing the main lid 61 with respect to the alignment direction thereof. These flexible pieces 64,65 are preferably made of cloth, flexible sheet or the like. Male and female hook and loop fasteners X (first fasteners) are attached to these flexible pieces 64, 65, respectively. A female or male hook and loop fastener Y (second fastener) disengageably engaging with the hook and loop fastener X of the flexible piece 64 is attached to an outside surface of the upper end of the insulating container 3 in the vicinity of the opening 3F. On the other hand, another female or male hook and loop fastener Y (second fastener) disengageably engaging with the hook and loop fastener X of the flexible piece 65 is attached to an upper surface of the sub-lid 43 adjacent to the opening 3F.

Thus, said main can be fixed in a manner closing and sealing the opening 3F of said insulating container 3. At this moment, it is possible to open or close only one small lid 62 by disengaging said flexible piece 64 from said hook and loop fastener Y attached to the outside surface at the upper side of said insulating container 3, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Likewise, it is also possible to open or close only the other small lid 63 by disengaging said flexible piece 65 from the hook and loop fastener Y attached to the upper surface of said sub-lid 43, as illustrated in FIG. 14. Moreover, it is possible to hingeably open or close said main lid 61 as a whole, in such a manner as shown in FIG. 15, by flexing said flexible piece 65 from the state illustrated in FIG. 13 by an external force. Likewise, it is possible to hingeably open or close said main lid 61 as a whole, in such a manner as shown in FIG. 16, by flexing said flexible piece 64 from the state illustrated in FIG. 14 by an external force.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 41 of the sixth embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled. The assembling of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the through-hole 43A formed in the sub-lid 43. That is, the base 8 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 43A in such a manner as to allow the step member 8B formed on the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 to mount on the step 43B of the through-hole 43A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 43. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 9 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 8, the heat absorbing sink 9 does not interfere with the through-hole 43A when the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 43. As the temperature controlling unit 41 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 5 to the sub-lid 43 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 41 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 41 that can match the insulating containers 3 and the main lids 61 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 5 and changing the sub-lid 43 only. Although the sub-lid 43 is covered with an infrared reflection film, but basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the sub-lids 43 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 41 inexpensively.

Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will now be explained. First, items refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 3, and then the temperature controlling unit 41 is so attached to the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 as to partially close and seal the opening 3F, and the main lid 61 is so attached to the remaining portion of the opening 3F which is not closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 41. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 41 is so attached as to allow the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14 to be disposed in the interior of the insulating container 3. The operation of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus explanations thereof will be omitted at here. As the insulating container 3 and the main lid 61 are made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, they have extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 41 also has a relatively light-weight structure as being composed of the sub-lid 43 made of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 5 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 60 using the temperature controlling unit 41 can have a relatively light-weight structure as a whole. As the peripheral surfaces of a foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape forming the main lid 61, the sub-lid 42 and the insulating container 3 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared rays or heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 60 from the outside thereof, so that the interior of the storage container 60 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature. Further, as the temperature controlling unit 41 and the main lid 61 are individually provided, the opening 3F of the insulating container 3 constituting the storage container 60 can be easily opened so that items to be stored can be easily put into and then taken out from the storage container 60 by simply opening the lightweight main lid 61 with the temperature controlling unit 41 being attached to the opening 3F.

Furthermore, as said main lid 61 is divided into a plurality of the small lids 62, 63 foldably connected with each other, it is possible to open or close the same still easily even when said heat insulation container 3, i.e., said main lid 61 is large-sized in such a manner as to fold up said main lid 61 to make its turning radius small if the main lid 61 is to be fully opened. Moreover, since an opening area at the time of storing or taking out items can be reduced to minimum by opening or closing only one of the small lids 62 and 63, the temperature change in said insulating container 3 can be reduced to minimum.

Furthermore, said main lid 61 is fixedly attached in such a manner as to close and seal the opening 3F, using the substantially rectangular flexible pieces 64, 65 provided with the first hook and loop fastener X and attached to both ends of the small lids 62, 63 constituting the main lid 61 in the alignment direction thereof; and the second hook and loop fastener Y attached to said insulating container 3 and the sub-lid 42, whereby it is possible to hingeably open or close said main lid 61 in any direction by detaching one of said flexible pieces 64, 65 to which the first hook and loop fastener X is attached from any one of the second hook and loop fasteners Y while flexing the other of the flexible pieces 64, 65 by an external force.

The same effectiveness as that of the aforementioned fourth embodiment can be obtained by the sixth embodiment. In addition, according to the sixth embodiment, as the main lid 61 is divided into a plurality of small lids 62,63 being foldably connected with each other, not only can the main lid 61 be further easily opened and closed by folding the main lid 61 to make the turning radius small, but also can the opening area of the insulating container 3 be reduced to minimum by opening either one of the small lids 62,63 only, thereby enabling the temperature change in the interior of the insulating container 3 to be minimized. Further, said main lid 61 is provided with the flexible pieces 64, 65 provided with the first hook and loop fastener X and attached to both ends of the small lids 62, 63 in the alignment direction thereof; and the second hook and loop fastener Y is attached to said insulating container 3 and the sub-lid 42, whereby it is possible to hingeably open or close said main lid 61 in any direction by detaching any one of the first hook and loop fasteners X attached to the small lids 62,63 from the corresponding second hook and loop fastener Y.

Next, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 17 to 19. The same structure portions as the aforementioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof and effectiveness will be omitted. Reference number 70 denotes a storage container, and the storage container 70 comprises a temperature controlling unit 71, main lids 73,74 and an insulating container 72. Further, the temperature controlling unit 71 is attached to the substantially central portion in an opening 72E of the insulating container 72, and the opening 72E of the insulating container 72 is divided by the temperature controlling unit 71 into two smaller openings 72G,72H, said two smaller openings 72G,72H being opened or closed and sealed by the main lids 73,74, respectively.

The temperature controlling unit 71 comprises a sub-lid 75 formed with a through-hole 75A in a substantial center thereof, and the temperature controlling subunit 5. The sub-lid 75 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and its entire surface is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. The sub-lid 75 is so formed as to have a size partially closing and sealing the opening 72E of the insulating container 72. A step member 75B is formed on the through-hole 75A, and the step member 8B, formed on the outer circumference of the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 in association with the step member 75B, so contacts the step member 75B as to allow the base 8 to fit into the through-hole 75A, whereby the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is placed on the sub-lid 75.

On the other hand, other step members 75C and 75D are formed at the ends of said sub-lid 75 that demarcate said openings 72G and 72H, respectively. The step member 73A formed at one end of said main lid 73 corresponding to said step member 75C is allowed to abut to this step member 75C so that said main lid 73 may be placed on said sub-lid 75. Likewise, the step member 74A formed at the other end of said main lid 74 corresponding to said step member 75D is allowed to abut to this step member 75D so that said main lid 74 may be placed on said sub-lid 75.

The insulating container 72 is so structured as to include a right wall 72A, a left wall 72B, a front wall (not illustrated), a rear wall 72C and a bottom wall 72D. Each of the walls 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and each of the entire surfaces is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. Upper ends of these right wall 72A, left wall 72B, front wall (not illustrated), rear wall 72C have the same height, and they constitute a mounting surface 72F in a manner surrounding the opening 72E.

Then, lower surfaces 73B, 74B of these main lids 73,74 and a lower surface 75E of the sub-lid 75 of the temperature controlling unit 71 are abutted onto the mounting surface 72F, thus allowing said main lids 73,74 and the temperature controlling unit 71 to be placed on the mounting surface 72F.

With these walls being assembled as the insulating container 72, the outside surfaces of these walls 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D, and the non-illustrated front wall are covered with a cover member 76 made of an infrared reflection film. According to the structure, it is possible to easily and inexpensively manufacture the insulating container 72 of an arbitrary size.

Also, each of the main lids 73,74 is made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and each of the entire surfaces is covered with an infrared reflection film as an infrared reflection layer. These main lids 73,74 are openably and closably attached to the opening of the insulating container 72 so as to close and seal the smaller openings 72G,72H. The temperature controlling unit 71 is formed so that it is movable on the mounting surface 72F when the both main lids 73,74 are opened.

Next, how to assemble the temperature controlling unit 71 of the seventh embodiment will now be explained. First, the temperature controlling subunit 5 is assembled. The assembling of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The assembled temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the through-hole 75A formed in the sub-lid 75. That is, the base 8 is fitted in and engaged with the through-hole 75A in such a manner as to allow the step member 8B formed on the base 8 of the temperature controlling subunit 5 to mount on the step 75B of the through-hole 75A, whereby the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 75. At this time, as explained above, since the heat absorbing sink 9 is formed to have the size not to protrude from the outer circumference of the lower portion of the base 8, the heat absorbing sink 9 does not interfere with the through-hole 75A when the temperature controlling subunit 5 is attached to the sub-lid 75. As the temperature controlling unit 71 is structured by attaching the temperature controlling subunit 5 to the sub-lid 75 thus way, it is possible to obtain the temperature controlling units 71 of various sizes, that is, the temperature controlling units 71 that can match the insulating containers 72 and the main lids 73,74 of various sizes, by using the common temperature controlling subunit 5 and changing the sub-lid 75 only. Although the sub-lid 75 is covered with an infrared reflection film, but basically made of an insulative foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape, in a single-piece manner, and thus the sub-lids 75 of various sizes can be easily and inexpensively obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the temperature controlling unit 71 inexpensively.

Next, the operation of the seventh embodiment will now be explained. First, items refrigerated or frozen beforehand by a refrigerator or a freezer is taken in the insulating container 72, and then the temperature controlling unit 71 is so attached to the opening 72E of the insulating container 72 as to partially close and seal the opening 72E, and the main lids 73,74 are attached to the openings 72G,72H which are not closed and sealed by the temperature controlling unit 71. At this time, the temperature controlling unit 71 is so attached as to allow the heat absorbing sink 9 and the fan 14 to be disposed inside the insulating container 72. The operation of the temperature controlling subunit 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus explanations thereof will be omitted here.

As the insulating container 72 and the main lids 73,74 are made of a light foam synthetic resin in a tabular shape and an infrared reflection film, they have extremely light-weight structure, and the temperature controlling unit 71 also has a relatively light-weight structure as it is composed of the sub-lid 75 made of the tabular foam synthetic resin and the infrared reflection film, and the temperature controlling subunit 5 using the relatively light Stirling refrigerator 6. Accordingly, the storage container 70 using the temperature controlling unit 71 can have a relatively light-weight structure as a whole. As the peripheral surfaces of the foam synthetic resin-made tabular members forming the main lids 73,74, the sub-lid 75 and the insulating container 72 are covered with infrared reflection films, it is possible to prevent infrared rays or heat from entering into the interior of the storage container 70 from the outside thereof, whereby the interior of the storage container 70 can be not only efficiently cooled, but also cooled to a very low temperature. Further, as the temperature controlling unit 71 and the main lids 73,74 are individually provided, the opening 72E of the insulating container 72 constituting the storage container 70 can be easily opened so that items to be stored can be easily put into and then taken out from the storage container 70 by opening the light main lids 73,74 with the temperature controlling unit 71 being attached to the opening 72E.

The temperature controlling unit 71 is attached to the substantially central portion in the opening 72E of the insulating container 72, and the two smaller openings 72G,72H demarcated by the temperature controlling unit 71 are opened or closed and sealed by the main lids 73,74, respectively. Accordingly, when the storage container 70 is transported by manpower, the relatively heavy temperature controlling unit 71 is located on the substantially central portion in the opening 72E of the insulating container 72, i.e. the substantial center of the insulating container 72, whereby the center of gravity of the storage container 70 can be prevented from being biased, so that it can be easily transported by manpower, while leading to small deviation of the temperature in the interior of the insulating container 72.

Further, there is formed the mounting surface 72F in a manner surrounding the opening 72E of the insulating container 72 that is abutted against the lower surfaces 73B, 74B of the main lids 73,74 and the lower surface 75E of the sub-lid 75, while said temperature controlling unit 71 is movably provided on said mounting surface 72F. Thus, even when relatively bigger stored items are taken out from the storage container 70, or even when stored items lying beneath the temperature controlling unit 71 are taken out therefrom, they can be easily taken out by shifting the temperature controlling unit 71 on the mounting surface 72F to thereby widen an opening area 72J. Moreover, the step members 75C, 75D are formed on said sub-lid 75, so that the step members 73A, 74A of the respective ends of said main lids 73, 74 are abutted against these step members 75C, 75D of said sub-lid 75, thereby reducing the possibility of forming a gap between the main lids 73,74 and the sub-lid 75, and thus the insulating performance of the insulating container 72 can be enhanced.

The same effectiveness as those of the aforementioned embodiments can be obtained by the seventh embodiment. In addition, according to the seventh embodiment, the temperature controlling unit 71 is attached to the substantially central portion in the opening 72E of the insulating container 72, and thus, when the storage container 70 is transported by manpower, the center of gravity of the storage container 70 can be prevented from being biased, so that it can be easily transported by manpower, while enabling the deviation of the temperature inside the insulating container 72 to be decreased.

Further, since said temperature controlling unit 71 is movably provided on said mounting surface 72F, even when relatively bigger items stored in said insulating container 72 are taken out therefrom, or even when items stored beneath the temperature controlling unit 71 are taken out therefrom, they can be easily taken out by shifting the temperature controlling unit 71 on the mounting surface 72F. Moreover, the step members 75C, 75D are formed on said sub-lid 75, so that the step members 73A, 74A of the respective ends of said main lids 73, 74 are abutted against these step members 75C, 75D of said sub-lid 75, thus enhancing the insulating performance of the insulating container 72, thereby enabling the interior of sad insulating container 72 to be cooled efficiently.

It should be noted that the present invention is aimed at providing a storage container which enables storage of items for a longer period of time at low running cost and allows its volume to be set freely. Specifically, the main lid and the temperature controlling unit are provided so as to be detachably attached to the opening of the insulating container, thereby enabling an arbitral combination of the main lid and the temperature controlling unit. As a result, the storage container thus constituted can have many applications required for both hot and cold insulation of foods and medicinal products, etc.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and can be modified within the scope of the present invention. For instance, whilst the Stirling refrigerator is used as the temperature controlling device in each of the aforementioned embodiments, other, for instance, a thermo module utilizing the Peltier effect may be used as illustrated in FIG. 20, or a heater may be used as illustrated in FIG. 21 In the aforementioned embodiments, the temperature controlling subunit is exposed from the lid, the sub-lid or the insulating container, but it may be so structured as to be accommodated by the lid, the sub-lid or the insulating container. In the above described embodiments, the second lid is attached to the insulating container, but it may be an independent lid from the insulating container.

The main lid is freely movably attached to the frame in the fifth embodiment, but as long as it opens or closes the opening of the frame, it may be freely movably attached to, for instance, the sub-lid. The frame is formed with two openings in the fifth embodiment, but it may be formed with one opening and both the main lid and the sub-lid may cover this opening. The frame may be formed with more than or equal to three openings, the sub-lid may cover one of the openings, and the other openings may be opened or closed by several main lids.

The main lid, the sub-lid and the insulating container are made of foam synthetic resins, but other insulating materials, for instance, a vacuum insulation panel or the like may be used. When the main lid, the sub-lid and the insulating container are made of a vacuum insulation panel, insulation properties thereof are improved, thus preventing heat from entering the interior of the storage container from the outside thereof, whereby the interior of the storage container can be cooled to further cold temperature and rapidly.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

an insulating container which has an opening;

a temperature controlling unit which is independent of said insulating container, said temperature controlling unit being detachably attached to said opening of said insulating container in such a manner as to close and seal a portion of said opening; and

a main lid which is attached to said opening of said insulating container in such a manner as to close and seal an other portion of said opening, wherein said temperature controlling unit comprises:

an insulative sub-lid; and

a temperature controlling subunit which is provided on said sub-lid, said temperature controlling subunit comprises:

a base which is fitted into a through-hole formed on said sub-lid; and

a Stirling refrigerator, said Stirling refrigerator including a temperature control effect member which is thermally exposed inside said insulating container.

2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein said temperature controlling subunit further includes an attachment member for attaching said temperature controlling subunit to said sub-lid.

3. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein said main lid, said sub-lid and said insulating container are made of foam synthetic resins.

4. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein said storage container is a portable cooler box.

5. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein said temperature controlling unit is detached and the opening of said insulating container is closed and sealed by the lid of said insulating container when the cooling of said temperature controlling unit is not required at the time of transporting, by manpower, said storage container where the temperature of the interior thereof is already controlled by said temperature controlling unit.

6. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein said main lid is divided into a plurality of small lids.

7. The storage container according to claim 6, wherein said small lids are foldably connected to form said main lid.

8. The storage container according to claim 7, wherein a flexible piece is provided on both ends of the small lids with respect to an alignment direction thereof, said flexible piece being provided with a first hook-and-loop fastener, while a second hook-and-loop fastener corresponding to said first hook-and-loop fastener is provided on said insulating container and said sub-lid.

9. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein said temperature controlling unit is attached to a substantially central portion in the opening of said insulating container so that the opening of said insulating container may be divided by said temperature controlling unit into two smaller openings, said two smaller openings being capable of being opened or closed and sealed by said main lid, respectively.

10. The storage container according to claim 9, wherein a mounting surface contacting respective lower surfaces of said main lid and said sub-lid is formed along a circumference of the opening of said insulating container, while said temperature controlling unit is movably provided on said mounting surface.

11. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein a step member is formed on said sub-lid and said main lid so that the step member of said main lid contacts the step member of said sub-lid.