GB2408974A

GB2408974A - Drinking flask

Info

Publication number: GB2408974A
Application number: GB0328465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Thompson
Original assignee: Vogue International Ltd
Current assignee: Vogue International Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-09
Filing date: 2003-12-09
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: EP1541068A1; GB0328465D0

Abstract

A drinking flask comprises a body part (10) forming a vessel to receive drinks liquid, the body part (10) being formed in its side with a recess (R) which receives an insert(30), and, a spinning member (40) mounted in a space provided in the insert (30) and open to the side of the flask.

Description

Drinkinq Flask The present invention relates to a drinking flask.

We have now devised a drinking flask having an attractive novelty appeal.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drinking flask which comprises a body part forming a vessel to receive drinks liquid, the body part being formed in its side with a recess which receives an insert, and, a spinning member mounted in a space provided in the insert and open to the side of the flask.

A figurine, for example in the form of a character or animal, or other decorative element, is preferably mounted to the spinning member.

The spinning member preferably comprises a rotary shaft which is engaged in holes or indents in top and bottom walls of the insert. Preferably the insert also comprises an upright wall interconnecting its top and bottom walls, this upright wall preferably being arcuate in section.

Preferably the recess in the side of the body part of the flask is defined by top and bottom walls and an upright inner wall (preferably arcuate in section) which join the side wall along their radially-outer edges. Preferably the top and bottom walls of the recess are spaced from the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the side wall of the body part.

Preferably the top and bottom walls of the insert, and preferably also its upright wall, fit contiguously against the corresponding walls of the body part recess.

Preferably the body part and the insert are formed of plastics material. These can accordingly be of different colours, enhancing the visual attractiveness of the flask.

The arrangement of the flask facilitates ease of assembly. Thus, firstly the spinning member is fitted into the insert, the top and bottom walls of the latter being deflected apart from one another sufficiently for the opposite ends of the rotary shaft of the spinning member to be engaged with the holes or indents in the top and bottom walls of the insert.

Then the insert is fitted into the recess in the side of the body part and secured in place, for example using adhesive or welding.

Preferably the flask is handle-less and is arranged for the user to hold the flask with his or her hand around the body part: this leaves the thumb free to engage the spinning member in order to spin this.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of the components of a drinking flask in accordance with the present invention, the components being shown prior to assembly; and FIGURE 2 is a vertical section through the assembled flask.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a drinking flask which comprises a body part 10 forming an open-top vessel to receive drinks liquid, a base part 20 secured to the bottom of the body part 10, an insert 30 secured within a recess R formed in the side of the body part 10, and a spinning member mounted in a space S provided in the insert 30, this space being open to the side of the flask. All of these components are formed of plastics material, by injection moulding.

The body part 10 comprises a peripheral side wall 11 of circular crosssection, increasing in diameter towards its top edge, which forms the rim of the flask: in order to provide the recess R. the side wall 11 is interrupted over an arcuate portion of its periphery and over the major proportion of its height, leaving marginal portions 12, 13 of the side wall 11 intact at its top and bottom. An upright, arcuate-section wall 14 extends inwardly from the interrupted vertical edges of the peripheral side wall 11 to form an inner wall of the recess R: a top wall 15 of the recess R extends inwardly from the bottom edge of the upper marginal portion 12 of the peripheral side wall, to the top edge of the arcuate inner wall 14 of the recess; a bottom wall 16 of the recess extends inwardly from the top edge of the lower marginal portion 13 of the peripheral side wall, to merge with the arcuate inner wall 14 of the recess R at a level spaced above the bottom edge of the wall 14. The body part 10 further comprises a bottom wall 17 the peripheral edges of which merge with the bottom edge of the arcuate inner wall 14 of the recess R and with the bottom edge of the major portion of the peripheral side wall 11 of the flask: the bottom wall 17 accordingly closes the bottom of the vessel to receive liquid, but leaves open the space below the bottom wall 16 of the recess R. The base part 20 comprises a flat, circular top wall 21 having a depending peripheral flange 22. The body part 10 of the flask seats on the top wall 21 of the base part 20, with its bottom wall 17 and the bottom edge of its side wall 11 contiguous with the base part wall 21.

The insert 30 comprises an upright arcuate wall 31 and top and bottom walls 32, 33 extending from the top and bottom edges of the upright wall 31. The top and bottom walls 32, 33 are formed with vertically-aligned circular holes 34, 35.

The spinning member 40 comprises a disc 41 provided with an axial shaft 42, the disc 41 being positioned adjacent the bottom end of the shaft 42. A figurine (not shown), in the form of a character or animal for example, is mounted on the disc 41.

In assembling the flask, the spinning member 40 is fitted into the insert 30 by engaging the top and bottom ends of its shaft 41 into the holes 34, 35 in the top and bottom walls of the insert: it will be appreciated that the top and bottom walls of the insert can be deflected away from each other a sufficient amount to enable the shaft 41 of the spinning member 40 to be engaged in this manner. Next, the insert 30 is fitted into the recess R in the side wall 11 of the body part 10, and fixed in place by means of adhesive, welding or otherwise. It will be noted that the outer edges of the walls 31, 32, 33 of the insert 30 are formed with lips L which overlie the margins of the side wall 11 of the body part 10, around the recess R. In use of the assembled flask, it will be appreciated that the body part of this may be held in the user's hand leaving his or her thumb free to engage the periphery of the disc 41 and spin the spinning member 40 and the figurine on it.

It will also be appreciated that the different components of the flask, particularly the body part 10, base part 20 and insert 30, may be of different colours, adding to the visual attractiveness of the flask.

Claims

Claims 1. A drinking flask which comprises a body part forming a vessel to

receive drinks liquid, the body part being formed in its side with a recess which receives an insert, and, a spinning member mounted in a space provided in the insert and open to the side of the flask.
2. A flask according to claim 1, wherein a figurine or other decorative element is mounted to the spinning member.
3. A flask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spinning member comprises a rotary shaft which is engaged in holes or indents in top and bottom walls of the insert.
4. A flask according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert further comprises an upright wall interconnecting its top and bottom walls.
5. A flask according to claim 4, wherein the upright wall is arcuate in section.
6. A flask according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess in the side of the body part of the flask is defined by top and bottom walls and an upright inner wall (preferably arcuate in section) which join the side wall along their radially-outer edges.
7. A flask according to claim 6, wherein the top and bottom walls of the recess are spaced from the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the side wall of the body part. Preferably the top and bottom walls of the insert.
8. A flask according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the upright wall fits contiguously against the corresponding walls of the body part recess.
9. A flask according to any preceding claim wherein the body part and the insert are formed of plastics material.
10. A method of manufacturing a flask according to any preceding claim, which method includes: a) fitting the spinning member into the insert, the top and bottom walls of the latter being deflected apart from one another sufficiently for the opposite ends of the rotary shaft of the spinning member to be engaged with the holes or indents in the top and bottom walls of the insert; b) fitting the insert into the recess in the side of the body part and securing in place.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the body part is secured in place using adhesive or welding.
12. A flask substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying figures.