Heat-insulating container

Abstract

A heat-insulating container ( 1 ) comprises a disc-shaped upper lid ( 10 ), a disc-shaped lower lid ( 20 ) and a cylindrical sidewall portion ( 30 ) which are all made of a synthetic resin foam. The cylindrical sidewall portion ( 30 ) is made up of two or more separate pieces ( 31 ) divided along the circumference. When necessary, the entire container is accommodated in a container protector ( 50 ) to ensure its strength. The heat-insulating container ( 1 ) allows the temperature of a heat-insulated item to be controlled below a preferable temperature for a long time. When not used as a heat-insulating container, its entire volume can be reduced, thereby allowing the space required for its distribution or storage to be reduced. Since the container is made up of a plurality of parts, molding costs can be reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat-insulating container comprising a disc-shaped upper lid, a disc-shaped lower lid, and a cylindrical sidewall portion which are all made of a synthetic resin foam, wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion comprises two or more separate pieces divided along the circumference.  
     
     
         2 . A heat-insulating container according to  claim 1 , wherein the separate pieces are combined with one another via abutting surfaces formed on each separate piece, the abutting surfaces comprising a convex portion formed on one surface engaging a concave portion formed on the other surface, and the circumferential length of each separate piece is set such that no two abutting portions are located in a vertical virtual plane slicing along a center line of the cylinder.  
     
     
         3 . A heat-insulating container according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion has a rib protruding radially inwardly, the heat-insulating container further comprising a central bedding with such dimensions as to be locked by the rib.  
     
     
         4 . A heat-insulating container according to  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the cylindrical sidewall portion is also divided into two or more stages along the center line.  
     
     
         5 . A heat-insulating container according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising a bedding which can be accommodated in the cylindrical sidewall portion.  
     
     
         6 . A heat-insulating container according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the synthetic resin foam is selected from the group consisting of a polystyrene resin, a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, a polyester resin, and a polyurethane resin, and the expansion factor is in the range of from 20 to 100.  
     
     
         7 . A heat-insulating container according to any one of  claims 1  to  6 , further comprising a cylindrical container protector for protecting the heat-insulating container against external shocks.  
     
     
         8 . A heat-insulating container according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the container is used for heat-insulating an enzyme.