GB2372935A

GB2372935A - Double-walled drinking vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2372935A
Application number: GB0204000A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Geoffrey Alan Morrish
Original assignee: MORRISH PRISCILLA DOROTHY
Current assignee: MORRISH PRISCILLA DOROTHY
Priority date: 2001-03-07
Filing date: 2002-02-20
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Also published as: GB0204000D0; GB0105617D0

Abstract

A drinking vessel 1, such as a cup, has a transparent outer wall 2, an inner wall 4 and a water tight chamber 9 between the two walls 2, 4 into which a decorative insert 10 may be placed. The drinking vessel 1 is provided with connection means, such as screw threads 6, which enable the inner wall 4 to be connected to the outer wall 2 manually without the assistance of factory equipment. The connection between the inner wall 4 and the outer wall 2 is water tight and preferably releasable so that the walls can be disconnected and the insert 10 removed and replaced as required. The connection between the walls may in itself be water tight, but optionally, a washer 8 is provided at the connection between the walls to ensure this.

Description

DRINKING VESSEL

This invention relates to a drinking vessel. In particular, this invention relates to a drinking vessel having a transparent portion through which information or decoration can be viewed.

It is known to provide a cup or mug having a transparent outer wall, an inner wall and an insert which fits between the two walls. The insert is usually a piece of card or plastic which lines the inner side of the outer wall and bears a design or other information which is visible through the outer wall. The inner and outer wall are connected at their rims by welding or by a push-fit connection. In the first case, once the insert has been inserted and the two walls welded together, the insert cannot be removed or replaced. In the second case, the insert can be removed but the push fit connection is not water-tight and water (or other fluids) can enter between the two walls possibly causing damage to the insert.

The present invention aims to ameliorate the above problems.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a drinking vessel having:

an outer wall at least part of which is substantially transparent ; and an inner wall manually connectable to said outer wall to form a chamber, wherein the drinking vessel is provided with connection means which cooperate to form a water-tight connection between the walls.

"Manually connectable"means connectable without the need for factory equipment.

This allows an insert to be introduced into the chamber prior to connection of the walls such that after connection, the insert is contained in a water-tight chamber so that the vessel can be immersed in liquid e. g. to wash the vessel after use.

The connection means may cooperate to form a permanent connection but preferably they cooperate to form a releasable connection. This allows the walls to be disconnected such that the insert can be removed and replaced as required.

The insert may be, for example, a piece of card or plastic, a photograph or hobbyists work such as crossstitch or embroidery dimensioned to fit into the sealed chamber.

In preferred embodiments, the connection means cooperate to form a screw-fit or bayonet connection.

The screw-fit or bayonet may be adapted such that when tightened the connection becomes permanent and non releasable. Preferably however the screw-fit or bayonet provides a releasable connection. The connection between the walls may itself be water-tight (e. g. if the walls are connected by a screw-fit, the screw-fit itself can be water-tight), but in especially preferred embodiments a washer is provided. The washer may be part of the inner wall or the outer wall or alternatively it can be a separate ring element provided at the connection between the inner and outer walls.

The washer is preferably a resiliently deformable washer e. g. a rubber o-ring.

The outer wall is preferably completely transparent.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through of a preferred embodiment; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the screw-fit connection of the preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a mug, 1, having an outer wall, 2, which is transparent and carries a handle, 3. The outer wall is formed of moulded plastics material and the

handle, 3, is integrally formed with the wall. An inner wall, 4, is provided which is releaseably connected to the outer wall. To form the connection, the inner wall, 4, is provided with a hooked rim, 5, having a thread formed on the inside. This thread is capable of forming an engagement with a corresponding thread, 6, on the outside of the upper rim, 7, of the outer wall. A resilient rubber o-ring, 8, is also provided at the connection.

When the two walls are connected, they form a water-tight chamber, 9, which can house an insert, 10.

The insert, 10, is a substantially rectangular sheet arranged to line at least part of the inner side of the outer wall, 2, such that any information, etc., carried on the insert, 10, is visible through the transparent outer wall, 2. The two walls are then connected in a screw-fit manner as shown in Figure 2 such that the threads on each rim cooperate to form a water-tight seal.

The insert can easily be replaced by simply unscrewing the connection of the two walls.

This embodiment is non-limiting and modification and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A drinking vessel having: an outer wall at least part of which is substantially transparent; and an inner wall manually connectable to said outer wall to form a chamber, wherein the drinking vessel is provided with connection means which cooperate to form a water-tight connection between the walls.
2. A drinking vessel according to claim 1 wherein the connection means cooperate to form a screw-fit or bayonet connection.
3. A drinking vessel according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the connection means cooperate to form a releasable connection.
4. A drinking vessel according to any one of the above claims wherein a washer is provided between the inner and the outer walls.
5. A drinking vessel according to claim 4 wherein the washer is fixed to the inner or the outer wall.
6. A drinking vessel according to claim 4 wherein the washer is a discrete ring element positioned between the inner and the outer walls.
7. A drinking vessel according to any one of claims 46 wherein the washer is formed of a resiliently deformable material.
8. A drinking vessel according to any one of the above claims wherein the outer wall is completely transparent.
9. A drinking vessel according to any of the above claims wherein a decorative insert is provided in the chamber between the'inner and outer walls.
10. A drinking vessel substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 and 2.