GB2573112A

GB2573112A - An Illuminable vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2573112A
Application number: GB1806591.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yuet Kelvin Tsang Chiu
Original assignee: Top Ten Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Top Ten Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Also published as: CN210112706U; WO2019206110A1; TWM585548U; GB2573181A; GB201806591D0

Abstract

An illuminable vessel comprises a translucent base 12 with an upwardly projecting translucent side wall 14 ending at an upper rim 16 defining an opening 18 to a receptacle 20 into which liquid can be poured and retained. The base includes a hollow projection 24 extending upwardly into the receptacle, the projection having a downwardly opening cavity 25. A removable light source 38 is located within the base 12 and is arranged to emit light into the downwardly opening cavity 25 of the hollow projection 24 and into the receptacle 20.

Description

JM Illuminable vessel

The present invention relates to in illuminable vessel. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates; to an illuminable drinking vessel such as a cup. glass or beaker tor receiving a liquid, drink or beverage. The vessel may alp be used for shaking dice.

Known illuminable cups, glasses or beakers incorporate light, sources into the base; of the vessel. The base; is; eonipirei to allow or transport, via a waveguide, the passage of light from the light source into the liquid receiving chamber of the vessel or outwardly through the base or wails of the vessel. The light subsequently exits the drinking vessel through the transparent walls of the liquid receiving receptacle. The base is also configured to allow the passage of light from the light source, through the side wail of the base and out of the drinking vessel. The bases of these vessels often comprise refractive objects* diffractive structures, or other surfaces to deflect light outwardly in different directions. A problem associated with such drinking vessels is that the liquid receiving chamber is ofrcmpoorly illuminated as a large amount offoe light emitted passes through the side wail of the base or is refracted put of the vessel through water located immediately adjacent the bash. A further problem associated with such drinking; vessels is that additional constructional material is required to provide separation of the base incorporating the light source and the liquid receiving chamber.

According to the first aspect of the invention, an illuminable vessel comprises; a base with an upwardly projecting side wall ending at an upper rim defining an opening to a receptacle into which liquid can be poured and retained, the base including a hollow projection extending upwardly into the receptacle, the projection having a downwardly opening cavity; and 4 light source located within the base; wherein the light source;; is arranged to emit light from the; light source into the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projeftion and from the cavity into the receptacle.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel.

Alternatively or in addition, the vessel may he used for shaking dice or ofher objects to illuminate the dice as they are emptied from the vessel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light source is located within the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection. The light source may he located only partially within the downwardly opening cavity. Alternatively, the light; source may he located entirely within the downwardly opening cavity.

Locating the light source within the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection removes the need to have a compartment for locating the light source. If the drinking vessels are made of a light weight or lower densi ty material, such as plastics, which may be less dense than water, then reducing the amount of material within the pgion lowers the centre of mass when water is present as a larger volume of water is located at the out er most edge of the base immediately adjacent the support surface. Accordingly, a user is less likely to knock over the drinking vessel when it is filial with liquid.

In an alternative embodiment, the hasedneludes anmnelosure extending downwardly away from the hollow projection. The light source may be located within the enclosure.

The above arrangements provide greater ilhmunatmn to the receptacle of the drinking vessel and of the liquid contents when present. This provides a user with greater visual indication of the periphery of the receptacle and more generally the periphery of the drinking vessel. Tills is particularly helpful in a darkened environment where it is often hard for a person to pick up a cup or beaker without a risk of knocking it over,

The side wall of drinking vessel may be cylindrical Alternatively, He side wall of the drinking vessel may be polygonal, ovoid or oblong in plan view.

In an embodiment, a recess may be provided around the opening of the downwardly opening cavity. The light source may extend into the recess.

The recess may be dimensioned to alow a user's fingers to: manipulate the light source. The recess may be cylindrical.

The recess may also facilitate a user to remove the light source. Also, the recess may allow a user better access to the light source in order to turn the light source on and oil

The hollow projection may extend upwardly along a central longitudinal axis of the illurninable drinking vessel. This helps to provide a uniform distribution of light within die receptacle.

The hollow projection may have a radial dimension which decreases with distance from the base so that the hollow projection generally tapers upwardly from the base to an uppermost apex. This reduces the amount of material located within the base and may lower the centre of mass when water/liquid is present. This nrav also provide different intensities of light in different parts of the l iquid and/or drinking vessel.

The wall thickness of the hollow' projection may he thinner than the side wall of the base, llhs allows for reduced manufacturing costs and also enables: light to pass through the walls into the receptacle more efficiently. The wall thickness of the hollow' projection may reduce from the base towards the apex in order that the illumination of the liquid in the; receptacle is greater adjacent the apex.

The drinking vessel may be manufactured as a unitary construct for example from ini ecti on moulding.

The hollow projection may form a pointed tip or rounded end. The pointed tip or rounded end may comprise first and second cylindrical chambers in communication with each other. The transverse cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical chamber nrav be less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical chamber. An upwardly facing shoulder may he located between the two chambers. This may serve to direct light upwardly into the receptacle.

The light source, such as an LED, may be located within the second cylindrical chamber. Having the light source located at the end of the pointed tip or rounded end, for example in the second cylindrical chamber, enables light to he emitted from the hollow projection into the receptacle at a specific location and thereby provide greater illumination^ a specific point within the liquid and/or drinking vessel. Furthermore, locating the light sdurce in a parti of the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection having a reduced: cross-s-codonal area helps to minimise reflection of light from the surface of the hollow projection into the receptacle;

The side wail may be composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material. In particular, a frosted, textured or faceted translucent material may he used. The base may be composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material. In particular, a frosted, textured or faceted translucent material may be used. The material may allow' light emitted from the light source to be directed outwardly from the drinking vessel a| different angles. Alternatively, the material may allow' light emitted from the light source to be reflected inwardly to provide greater illumination within the drinking vessel.

The base and the side wail of the drinking vessel may be of unitary construction.

The receptacle may have an upwardly increasing cross-sectional dimension, for example the receptacle may be fluted, flared or conical in shape. Alternatively, the receptacle may have a uniform cross-sectional dimension.

The receptacle may be cylindrical. Alternatively, the receptacle may be polygonal, ovoid or oblong in plan view.

The light source may be removably located in the base. This enables the light source to he replaced. Also, this enables the receptacle to be washed without the need for the light source to be located in a water proof base enclosure or the receptacle may be discarded without the light source which may be re-used on another roeeptacle of the kind described above.

The light source may include a rotatable on and off switch. Alternatively, the light: source may include a push-button on and off switch.

The light source may be held within the base through frictional engagement. This avoids the need to include an additional closure bottom or other fixtures to maintain the light source Within the base. This arrangement allows a user to withdraw the light source quickly from the base, which is particularly beneficial if a person is washing a large quantity of the drinking vessels. Alternatively a screw or bayonet atfiehment may be provided.

The light source may comprise a first cylindrical member with a second cylindrical member extending from the first cylindrical member. The transverse cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical member may be less than the trans verse cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical member. The light source may be dimensioned to have a generally complementary shape to that of the first and sdeond cylindrical chambers of the light source enclosure.

The invention may further provide a kit of pans, the kit of parts comprising: an illuminable vessel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and a cover comprising a cover base with an upwardly projecting cover wall ending at an upper cover rim defining a cover opening to a cover receptacle, the: cover receptacle being dimensioned to receive tire illuminable drinking vessel.

The cover dide wail may extend radially outwardly away from the cover base;

Tire cover may farther comprise one or didrC support members located at or adjacent the cover base. The one or more support members may be located to support the base of the illuminable drinking vessel to provide separation between.the base asMi Cover base.

The cover may be composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent, material, in particular, a Irtsted or fesrtured franslucent material may be used. The material may allow light emitted from the light source to be directed outwardly frorn the cover at different angles. Alternatively, the material may allow' light emitted from the light source to be reflected inwardly to provide a:grea&r!i||ht intensity at the vessel opening.

In a; further aspect of this invention, a cup for shaking dice comprises a vessel in accordance with the first or second aspect, in combination with a Cover txmfigured to receive the rim, and having an internal volume arranged so that one # ihbrf dpe, for example up fo six dice, may be received in a receptacle, the cover engaged with the rim to form an assembly with a closed receptacle, so that the assembly may be shaken manually to agitate the dice.

The cover may comprise a circular plate having a circumferential lip with a diameter greater ihanlhe di ameter of the rim.

The light source may illuminate the dice as they are emptied from the receptacle, facilitating observation of the values displayed on tie upper surfaces of the dice, for example in a dimly lit ambient environment.

The vessel may have a dual use as a dice shaking vessel or cup or as a drinking vessel. Alternatively, the vessel may be used solely for dice shaking.

Exemplary embodiment will now be described by moans of example, but not m any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the illurninable drinking vessel with light source;

Figure 2 is a top view of the illurninable drinking vessel of Figure 1 With light source removed; and

Figure 3 is a side view: if the illurninable drinking vessel of Figure 1 and cover with light source removed; and

Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the illurninable drinking vessel.

The illurninable drinking vessel 10 of Figures 1 to | comprises a translucent base 12 and a translucent side wall 14 extending upwardly tarn the: base 12 and ending at an upper rim 16 defining an ppemh| 18 |o i fceeptacie 20 into which liquid can be pogpfr The bail 12 and side wall 14 collectively define the receptacle 20, The base 12 comprisesra flattened undersurface 22 for positioning the drinking vessel 10 on a flat surface in an upright position. The base 12 includes a hollow projection 24 extending upwardly from annular rim 28 into the receptacle 20. The billow projection 24 is located inwardly of the base’s circumference. The hollow projection 24 has a downwardly opening cavity 25, A recess 26 is provided around the opening of the downwardly opening cavity 25, The hollow projection 24 forther includes a first cylindrical chamber 30 extending upwardly away from an inner edge 32 of the recess 26 and a subsequent second eyindrical chamber 34 extending upwardly from the top of the first cylindrical chamber 30. The transverse cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical chamber 34 is less than the transverse crqss-sectihhif dpi of the first cylindrical chamber lit The first 30 and second 3 4 cylindrical chambers are in comm uni cation wi th each other and thereby define a channel. 'File first 30 and second 34 cylindrical chambers collectively form a pointed ip. The slapc of the hollow projection 24 is generally nipple shaped. The drinking vessel 10 further comprises an annular flange 36 located at the top of the side wall 14. A removable light source 38 comprises a first cylindrical member 40 with a second cylindrical member 42 extending from the first cylindrical member 40. The transverse cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical member 42 is less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical member IP;. The removable light source 38 is dimensioned to have a generally complementary shape to that of the first 30 hhd second 34 cylindrical chambers respectively, so that the light source 38 is frietionally held within the downwardly opening cavity '25 of the hollow projection 24. An LED light emitting element 44., for example, is located within the second cylindrical member 42. A rotatable on and off switih 46 extends from the base of the first cylindrical member 40,

When the removable light source 38 is inserted int^i#e::#^wardly opening cavity 25 of the hollow projection 24, the first cylindrical member 40 of the light source is located in the first cylindrical chamber :30 of the hollow projection 24 and the second cylindrical member 42 of the light source is located in the second cylindrical chamber 34 of the hollow projection 24. The rotatable on and off switch 46 of the light source is located within the recess 26 of the hollow projection 24 which facilities a user to rotate the rotatable on and off switch 46 and also to remove the reniovabledi^tt sotirce 38 from the downwardly opening cavity 25. When the light source 38 is switched on light is emitted into the second cylindrical chamber 34 and subsequently into the receptacle 20 and thereby provides illumination within the receptacle 20.

As shown in Figure 3, the drinking vessel 10 may be located within a transparent cover 48. The cover 48 comprises a cover base 50 with an upwardly projecting cover wail 52 ending at an upper cover rim 54 defining a cover opening 56 to a cover receptacle 58, the cover receptacle 58 being dimensioned to receive the illuminable drinking vessel 10. The cover base 50 comprises a plurality of support members 60 which supports the base 12 of the drinking vessel 10 in an elevated position relative to the cover base 50.

The illuminable drinking vessel 110 of Figure 4 comprises a base 112 and a translucent side wall 114 extending upwardly from the base 112 and ending at an upper rim 116 defining an opening 118 to a receptacle 120 into which liquid can be poured. The base 112 aid side wall 114 collectively define the receptacle 120. The base 112 comprises an enclosure 122 with a flattened undersurifob 124 for positioning the drinking vessel 110 in an upright position, and a translucent upper Mrlkce 125. The base 112 further includes a hollow projection 126 extending upwardly info tlie receptacle 120. The hollow projection 126 is located inwardly of the base's eircurnforenee. The hollow projection 126 has a downwardly opening cavity 127. The hollow pr^eeion 126 includes:; a first cylindrical chamber 128 extending upwardly away from the enclosure 122 and a subsequent second cylindrical chamber 130 extending upwardly from the top of the first cylindrical chamber 128. The cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical chamber 130 is less than the cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical chamber 128. The first 128 and second 130 cylindrical chambers are in communication with each other and thereby define a channel. The first 128 and second 13(.5 cylindrical chambers collectively form a pointed tip.; The shape of the hollow projection 126 is generally nipple shaped. The drinking vessel ill further comprises an annular flange 132 located at the top of the side wail 114, A light source 134, including an LED light emitting member, for example, is fixedly located within the enclosure 122. The light source also ineluddi an on ind off button which extends through a water proof sealing portion 136 of the enclosure 122. Mien the light source 134 is switched on light is emitted into the hollow projection 126 and subsequently enters into the receptacle 120 and thereby provides illumination within the receptacle 120.

Various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The hollow projection 24/126 of both the first and second embodiments may extend halfway or more up the drinking vessel 10/110. The side wall 14/114 of the drinking vessel 10/110 of the first and second embodiments may be composed of a translucent or transparent material. The hollow projection 24/126 of both the first and second embodiments may be cone-shaped or funnel shaped. It may, alternatively, be of a substantially uniform cross-section. The hollow projection 24/126 may he composed of a translucent or transparent material.

The hollow projection 126 of the second embodiment may be hollow or formed as a foil light-guide. Access to the enclosure 122 may be via the flattened undersurface 124, preferably through a secured lid or hatch.

Claims

Cliili ί. An illuminable vessel comprising: a base with an upwardly projecting side wall ending at an upper rim defining an opening to a receptacle into which liquid can be poured and retimed, the base includiig | hollow projection extending upwardly into the receptacle, the projection having m downwardly opening cavity; and a light source located within the base; wherein the light source is arranged to emit light from inis the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection and into the receptacle. fi An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tight source is located within the downwardly opening cavity.
3. An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 2, wherein a recess is provided around fc ppening of the downwardly opening cavity.
4. An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 1, the base farther including an enclosure extending downwardly away from the hollow projection, wherein the light source is located within the enclosure.
5. An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow projection extends upwardly along a central longitudinal axis of the illuminable vessel. ϋ An illuminable vessel as claimed it any preceding claim, wherein the hollow projection has a radial dimension which decreases with distance from the base so that the hollow projection generally tapers upwardly from the base to an uppermost apex.
7. An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hollow projection forms a pointed tip. 1:. An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 7, the pointed tip comprising first, and second cylindrical chambers in communication with each other; wherein the cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical chamber ii lesi than the cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical chamber;:
9. An illuminable vessel asclaimed in any ppfefding claim, wherein the light source is removably located in the base.
10. An illuminable vessil i| epimed in claim 9, wherein the light source is held within the base through frictional engagement,
11. An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side wall m Composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material,
12. An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is composed of a retractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material.
13. An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base and the side wall are formed as a unitary construction. Id. An illuminable drinking vessel as claimed in any of the preceding claims. ;1|. A dice shaking vessel asAinmd in any of the Claims 1 to 1 % 16r A kit of parts comprising: an illuminable vessel as claimed in anpofelaims 1 to 15; and a cover comprising a cover base with upwardly projeciig cover wall endin| p hi upper cover rim defining a cover opening to a cover receptacle, ile cover receptacle being dimensioned to receive the illuminable drinking vessel. :17. A kit of puris as claimed in claim 16, the cover further comprising one or more Support members located at or adjacent the cover base; the one or more support members being arranged to support the base of the illuminable drinking vessel and thereby provide separation between the base and the cover base.
18. A kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 16 or 1.7, wherein the cover is composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material.