Double walled thermal container with ring seal

Abstract

A double walled thermal container includes an outer container with an inner container mounted therein. Structural support is provided by an internal connection between the inner container and the outer container to minimize stress on the connection point. A separate elastomeric seal is preferably provided to prevent moisture from entering the area between the inner and outer containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 an outer container including a first bottom element and a first sidewall extending upward from the first bottom element;   an inner container including a second bottom element and a second sidewall extending upward from the second bottom element, the inner container mounted in the outer container;   the first sidewall and second sidewall sonic welded together at a top portion of the container; and   a connecting element connecting the second bottom element to the first bottom element.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element further comprises:
 a connecting ring formed on the first bottom element and extending upward therefrom; and   a support element extending downward from the second bottom element and contacting the connecting ring.   
     
     
         3 . The contained of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting ring is sonic welded to the support element. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal element positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the seal element is an elastomeric O-ring. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting ring formed on the first bottom element includes a first flexible, inward extending lip and the support element includes a second flexible outward extending lip such that the support element is connectable to the connecting ring via a snap fit. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a seal element positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the seal element is an elastomeric O-ring. 
     
     
         9 . A container comprising:
 an outer container including a first bottom element and a first sidewall extending upward from the first bottom element;   an inner container including a second bottom element and a second sidewall extending upward from the second bottom element, the inner container mounted in the outer container;   the first sidewall sonic connected to the second sidewall at a top portion of the container to join the first sidewall and the second sidewall;   a seal element on the second sidewall and sonic-welded to the first sidewall at a position just below the connection of the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the top portion of the container; and   a lower connecting element provided between a top surface of the first bottom element and a bottom surface of the second bottom element to provide a sonic-welded connection between the inner container and outer container.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the lower connecting element further comprises:
 a connecting ring formed on the first bottom element and extending upward therefrom; and   a support element extending downward from the second bottom element and contacting the connecting ring.   
     
     
         11 . The contained of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting ring is sonic welded to the support element. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a seal element positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the seal element is an elastomeric O-ring. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting ring formed on the first bottom element includes a first flexible, inward extending lip and the support element includes a second flexible outward extending lip such that the support element is connectable to the connecting ring via a snap fit. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , further comprising a seal element positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and made of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the seal element is an elastomeric O-ring.