WO1992000694A1

WO1992000694A1 - Hollow vessel with handle

Info

Publication number: WO1992000694A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/001131
Authority: WO
Inventors: David William Evans
Original assignee: PMC (SHEFFIELD) Ltd
Current assignee: PMC (SHEFFIELD) Ltd
Priority date: 1990-07-10
Filing date: 1991-07-10
Publication date: 1992-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1993-01-10
Also published as: GB9015144D0

Abstract

An article comprises a hollow vessel (1) whose outer surface is formed from aluminium, and a handle (7) which is connected to the vessel by means of at least one band (3) which extends around at least part of the perimeter of the vessel and engages the surface of the vessel mechanically. The mechanical connection between the band and the vessel may result from deformation of the wall of the vessel so as to encapsulate the band. A connection between the band and the handle may be a solder connection.

Description

HOLLOW VESSEL WITH HANDLE

This invention relates to an article comprising a hollow vessel and a handle. The hollow vessel might be used, for example, to hold a fluid, possibly for consumption such as a drink, or it might alternatively be for ornamental purposes.

Pewter is a material which is used commonly in the manufacture of hollow vessels, particularly for use for holding fluids for consumption. Examples of such vessels are those commonly referred to as tankards. Pewter is an alloy which contains 80% to 95% tin and 5% to 20% lead. In recent times, other elements such as antimony, have replaced lead, and 1% to 3% copper may also be added. The use of pewter in the manufacture of such articles is considered popular for the attractive finishes which can be created on the surface of such vessels, whether dull or bright. The material is somewhat soft, which allows it to be worked into attractive shapes, whether using sheet metal working techniques, or by casting, and it can easily be engraved or patterned in some other way. However, the fact that the material is relatively soft which, in addition to making articles formed from it undesirably prone to damage, means that the techniques by which articles can be formed from it are, to some extent, limited. For example, in the case of a popular pewter tankard which has a glass base, the glass which forms the base is held in a frame of pewter supported by a relatively undeformable material such as aluminium. The frame cannot easily be force fitted onto the pewter wall of the tankard without deforming that wall. It is therefore necessary to attach the frame to the pewter wall by bonding, for example by soldering. This introduces another process step in the manufacture of such tankards.

A further advantage of the use of pewter to form hollow vessels is that handles can be attached to the pewter wall of such a vessel by bonding using a solder. Pewter is a material to which a strong solder bond can be formed, although such bonding is very craft sensitive because the melting point of the pewter itself is sometimes not much higher than the melting point of a solder which is used to form the bond. Care must therefore be taken not to cause the pewter to melt when forming a solder bond to a vessel formed from pewter.

Attention is drawn to our copending application filed contemporaneously with the present application entitled "Forming a Solder Connection", and which claims priority f om UK patent application no. 9015146.5. The subject matter disclosed in that application is incorporated in the present application by this reference.

The present invention seeks to provide an article which has many of the attractive features of known pewter articles (particularly the attractive appearance), but which are easier and cheaper to manufacture.

In one aspect, the invention provides an article comprising a hollow vessel having an outer surface of which at least part is formed from aluminium, and which includes a handle connected to the aluminium surface of the vessel by means of at least one band which extends around at least part of the perimeter of the vessel and engages the said surface mechanically.

The use of aluminium to form a hollow vessel has significant advantages. On the one hand, its finish or appearance can be arranged to simulate very closely the appearance or finish of pewter. For example, it can be polished to give a bright finish, or it can be made to appear dull, for example by appropriate brushing. It can also be provided with other surface finishes, for example by hammering. However, other effects can be obtained through the use of aluminium, for example by anodising the surface of the aluminium. Anodising may be used to colour the surface of the aluminium, or to make it more tough or corrosion resistant. When anodising is used to change the colour of the vessel, particularly•attractive effects can be obtained by engraving the surface of the vessel so that the engraving on the surface shows the natural colour of the aluminium against the background provided by the coloured surface of the vessel.

A further advantage of the use of aluminium to form the hollow vessel is the light weight of the resulting article. The light weight can be obtained in an article which has the appearance of pewter, but not the relatively high weight which is associated with that material.

Yet another advantage of the use of aluminium is that it is readily recyclable, through channels establishing for the recycling of other articles such as cans.

A particularly significant advantage of the use of aluminium to form the hollow vessel is that it is a significantly stronger material than pewter. This property allows the manufacture of hollow vessels to take advantage of mechanised sheet metal working techniques which cannot be practised on pewter because of its softness. Thus vessels may be formed from aluminium by, for example, hand spinning, automated spinning, fluid forming and deep drawing. Furthermore, such vessels may be deformed, for example to engage a band positioned around the rim, by automated roller beading.

A handle is connected to the vessel by means of at least one band which extends around at least part of the perimeter of the vessel. The use of a band to attach a handle to the vessel has the significant advantage that it removes the need to form a bond by means of solder to the aluminium wall of the vessel. Forming a bond to aluminium in this way is particularly undesirable because of, for example, th<?^*- oxious fumes which are emitted due to reaction betweer he aluminium and components of solder and associated fluxe_. The use of a band allows a handle to be connected to a vessel without puncturing the wall of the vessel (as might be necessary if the handle were to be attached by means of a rivet or a bolt), and avoids the need to form a weld, which is a craft sensitive procedure, particularly when the weld is to be formed to a thin wall vessel.

A further significant advantage of the use of a band to attach a handle to a vessel is that the handle may be attached to the vessel after the vessel has been finished. Such finishing might involve polishing to obtain a shiny finish, or brushing to obtain a dull finish, and can therefore be carried out without having to finish the vessel around the handle. Subsequently, the handle may be connected to the vessel, but by use of the band, the finish imparted to the vessel is not impaired. The technique provided by the present invention therefore facilitates greatly the finishing of the walls of vessels.

Preferably, the band extends around the entire perimeter of the vessel. It is particularly preferred that the band be in the form of a closed loop, although it may be open, for example at the point at which the band and the handle join. The use of an open band can allow a band to be positioned around a vessel without access to an end thereof, particularly when it is formed from a resiliently deformable material. The band may be formed as a single component with the handle, for example by casting. However, it is preferred that the handle and the band be formed as separate components which can be joined together before, or more preferably after, the band is positioned around the vessel.

The band may be formed as a lip on a base for the article. In this arrangement,the vessel is received in the base with the lip extending around the bottom portion of the vessel.

A number of factors may influence the choice of material for the band. For example, when a connection between the band and the handle is to be formed by means of solder, the material of the band will be one to which solder bonds can be made readily. Examples of suitable materials include brass, copper, steel (which might be provided with a coating to prevent corrosion or which might be stainless) and so on. The appearance of the material may be an important factor, so that brass might be preferred for certain applications for its colour. The mechanical properties of the material of the band should also be considered. For some applications, it might be desirable to use a material for the band which is relatively dense, so that the weight of the resulting vessel is increased towards that of a comparable vessel formed from pewter.

The configuration of the band will depend on the nature of the connection between the band and the wall of the vessel, which is considered in more detail below.

The connection between the band and the vessel is essentially mechanical in nature. Thus the connection does not generally involve the use of materials other than those of the band and the vessel (such as solder and adhesives), and does not involve fusion of either of the materials of the vessel and the band. For example, a band may be forced onto a tapered vessel in the direction of increasing transverse dimension with such force that it deforms slightly the wall of the vessel and thereby engages that wall. Alternatively, or in addition, the band may be fitted to the vessel while expanded, and may then be allowed to contract, for example by cooling, so that it engages the wall of the vessel. The wall of the vessel may be provided with a groove in which the band is received.

A particular preferred technique for engaging the band with the vessel involves positioning the band around the rim of the vessel at its open end, and deforming the rim of the vessel over the band. In this way, by appropriate selection of the degree to which the lip of the vessel is deformed, the band may be ridgidly connected to the vessel. If desired, the rim of the vessel may be deformed to such an extent that the band is almost completely encased in the deformed rim. This technique for connecting the band to the vessel has other advantages. For example, as a result, the band may reinforce the vessel at the lip, which might otherwise be easily damaged mechanically, especially when the vessel is formed from a thin sheet of aluminium. Manufacture of the vessel from aluminium has the advantage that a thin sheet can be deformed so that its lip extends over a band positioned around the mouth of the vessel, conveniently using conventional sheet metal forming equipment.

A further advantage of the preferred technique for engaging the band with the vessel is that the shape of the rim of the vessel can be selected by the cross-section of the band. For example, the rim can be given a generally rounded shape by use of a wire with a circular cross-section for the band. The rim can be given a more angular shape by use of, for example, a wire with a square cross-section.

A band may be connected to the vessel by being provided in the form of a washer and being positioned on the open rim of the vessel, and deformed downwardly so that the band extends over the rim and engages both the inside and outside walls of the vessel. This can provide an attractive vessel by selection of an appropriate band, such as a band formed from a coloured material such as brass. The provision of a band having this configuration has the advantage that it reinforces the lip of the vessel, which can be particularly useful when the vessel is formed from a thin sheet of aluminium.

A band may be provided as part of a base for the article, in which case the lower end of the vessel may be press fitted into the band so that the vessel and the base become connected. The vessel itself may be provided with an end wall at its lower end which is formed from aluminium and is formed integrally with the aluminium side wall(s) of the vessel. Alternatively, a lower end wall of the vessel by which fluid is retained in the vessel may be provided by a base to which the aluminium wall of the vessel is connected. The base may be formed from a single material, especially a metal, for example brass, or it may be formed from more than one material such as a metal, in which a piece of another material such as glass or a clear plastic is fitted. The formation of the walls of the vessel from aluminium has the advantage that, because of the greater resistence to deformation of aluminium compared with that of pewter, a base may be connected to the aluminium wall of the vessel by press fitting, and it is not necessary to include a separate bonding step for example using solder. The craft sensitivity and complexity of the manufacturing process are therefore reduced.

When a vessel having an end wall is fitted into a base, a weight may be provided between the end wall and the base to increase the perceived weight of the finished article to make it more like that of a comparable pewter article. The material and design of the handle will be determined by the position of the band or bands on the vessel, on the material of the band or bands, and on the nature of the connection or connections between the handle and the band or bands. The handle may be connected to the vessel at just one point. That point will generally be towards the top of the vessel. Preferably, however, the handle is connected to the vessel at two spaced apart points. Generally, those points will be on a line which extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. When the handle is connected to the vessel at two points, the connections may, but need not necessarily, be the same. For example, the connections may be the same in the sense that two similar bands are positioned around the vessel at spaced apart points along the length of the vessel between the top and the base thereof. Frequently, however, the nature of the connection between the handle and the vessel will differ between the top of the handle and the bottom of the handle. For example, in a preferred embodiment in which the band is provided around the rim of the vessel and the rim is deformed over the band so that the band and the vessel engage one another, the handle may be bonded to the band by, for example, solder. The other end of the handle may, but need not necessarily, be attached to the vessel towards the base thereof. For example, it may be connected to a band which is a friction fit around the vessel. Alternatively, it may be attached to a base which might be connected to the vessel through a band which is formed integrally with the base and in which the vessel is received. A particular advantage of connecting the band to the vessel by deforming the rim of the vessel over the band is that the band can be hidden from view almost completely. Consequently, the appearance of the resulting article can be made very much closer to that of traditional pewter article. Furthermore, such a connection technique for the handle has the advantage that the connection between the handle and the vessel is particularly strong.

Selection of a material for the handle will be affected by considerations such as the appearance of the article, the desired weight of the finished article, the nature of the connection between the handle and the band and so on. Preferred materials for the handle include brass, pewter, copper and tin or lead based alloys all of which can be connected to the band by solder bonds. The handle may comprise more than one material, for example, a solderable material at one or both ends, and another material which might be ornamental or decorative (such as bone, plastic, aluminium or wood) between its ends. Particularly preferred are tin/lead based casting alloys, which can increase the perceived weight of the article making the article of the invention more like traditional pewter article.

The walls of the vessel may be formed from more than one material. For example, the inner skin of the vessel may be provided by a material other than aluminium. Preferably, the walls of the vessel are formed only from aluminium, although the aluminium may be alloyed with other elements in order to optimise particular properties. The article may be designed for use as a drinking vessel, in the manner of a traditional tankard for cold drinks, or of a cup or mug for warm drinks. However, articles may be intended for other uses, such as for cooking when the article may be designed as a saucepan or as a casserole dish. The article may otherwise be used as a bowl in which material may be presented or stored. The article of the invention may also be designed as a sports trophy.

The article may include other features, such as a lid, which may be pivotally mounted on the handle. Alternatively, a lid or other feature may be connected to the vessel by means of the band by which the handle is connected to the vessel.

The vessel may be provided with more than one handle, as in the case of, for example, a trophy, a tray, or a vessel intended for use by a child who might wish to hold the vessel with two hands.

The solder material which may be used to connect the handle to the band may be a hard solder or a soft solder, depending on the nature of the article, its intended use and the materials of the band and the handle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section through a first embodiment of drinking vessel;

Figure 2 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of drinking vessel;

Figure 3 is a cross-section through a saucepan; and

Figure 4 is a cross-section through a sports trophy. -1 0- -

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a vessel 1 which is formed from aluminium. The vessel is formed by fluid forming. The vessel may be anodised in order to increase the resistance of the aluminium to corrosion or to provide the aluminium with a coloured appearance. By appropriate finishing, the wall of the vessel can be arranged to have a shiny finish, a dull finish, or a textured finish such as might be obtained by hammering, milling, engraving, knurling.

A band 3 formed from brass wire having a circular crosssection, diameter 3mm, is located around the rim 5 of the vessel 1. The band 3 is held in place towards the rim 5 by deforming the rim over the band so that the band is almost completely encased by the aluminium of the vessel.

A handle 7 is connected at one end 9 to the band 3 by means of a solder bond. The other end 11 of the handle 7 is not connected to the vessel 1. The handle is formed from a tin based casting alloy.

The use of aluminium for the vessel shown in Figure 1 has the advantage that its surface finish can be selected to be similar to that of a pewter vessel or to have another finish. The material is workable without being frangible, so that the vessel can be formed using mechanised sheet metal working techniques. In particular, the deformation inparted to the rim 5 to hold the band 3 in place can easily be achieved using conventional equipment with low risk of damage to the aluminium of the vessel or to its finish eg anode polish.

The provision of the band 3 in the vicinity of the rim 5 of the vessel 1 has the advantage that the band 3 reinforces the vessel in the vicinity of the rim, which will generally be a relatively weak point of the vessel. It is a further advantage that the vessel is attached to the handle at a point at which it is reinforced by the band. This reduces likelihood of the vessel being deformed when in use because of the weight of fluid within it.

Figure 2 shows a vessel 21, again formed from aluminium, which is tapered outwardly from its base towards its rim. The vessel is open at both its wide end 23 and its narrow end 25.

The vessel 21 includes a base member 27 in which a glass wall 29 is provided for the narrow end 25 of the vessel 21. The base has an upwardly extending band 31 in which the narrow end 25 of the vessel 21 is received. The vessel 21 engages band 31 by forcing the narrow end 25 of vessel 21 into the band 31. Such a connection can be arranged to provide a fluid- ight seal for fluid contained within the vessel without any need for an additional bond, such as might be provided by solder.

A handle 33 is connected to the vessel and its base at each of its ends 35, 37. A first end 35 of the handle 31 is connected to the vessel 21 by means of a band 39 formed from a strip of a metal such as brass or copper . The band 39 is positioned around the vessel 31 before the vessel is connected to the base member 27. The handle 33 is connected to the band 39 by means of solder. The second end 37 of the handle 33 is connected to the base member 27 by means of solder, and indirectly to the vessel 21 through the band 31.

Figure 3 shows a saucepan 51 which is formed from aluminium, and which has a groove 53 formed in its outer wall. A band 55 is positioned in the groove 53 so that the band and the saucepan body 51 are fixed relative to one another. The band is provided in the groove by positioning it over the groove while hot and allowing the band to cool so that it shrinks to engage the groove. A boss 57 is provided on the band 55, to which a handle 59 can be connected by means of a threaded fastener such as a bolt 61.

Figure 4 shows a trophy which comprises an aluminium body 81 , and a base 83 which is also formed from aluminium. A spiggot 85 is provided on the lower surface of the body 81 for engaging a recess 87 in the upper surface of the base 83, so that the body 81 and the base 83 can engage one another laterally.

A band 89 is provided on the rim 91 of the body 81 , the band is deformed so that it engages the inner and outer surfaces of the body 81. The band is formed from a coloured metal to which solder bonds can be formed. Similarly, a band 93 is provided around the base 83. Handles 95, 97 extend between the bands 89, 93, to which they are bonded by means of solder. The handles 95,97 serve to retain the spiggot 85 and the recess 87 in engagement, and to retain the body 81 and base 83 in engagement.

It will be understood that features shown in various ones of Figures 1 to 4 may be combined in ways other than as shown in those Figures.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An article which comprises a hollow vessel (1 ) having an outer surface of which at least is formed from aluminium, and which includes a handle (7) connected to the to the aluminium surface of vessel by means of at least one band (3) which extends around at least part of the perimeter of the vessel and engages the said surface mechanically.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, in which the wall of the vessel (1 ) is deformed so as to encapsulate the band (3) at least partially.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the band (3) extends around the entire perimeter of the vessel (1 ) .

4. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the vessel (1) is open at one end (5).

5. An article as claimed in claim 4, in which the band (3) is provided at or towards the open end (5) of the vessel (1 ) .

6. An article as claimed in claim 4, in which the band (31) is associated with a base member (27) into which the vessel (21 ) is received.

7. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, which includes two of the said bands (89,93), for attachment of spaced apart portions of the handle (97) to spaced portions of the vessel.

8. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, which includes more than one handle (95,97).

9. A method of attaching a handle to a hollow vessel whose outer surface at least is formed from aluminium, which comprises positioning a band (3) so that it extends around at least part of the perimeter of the vessel (1 ) and engages the outer surface of the vessel mechanically, and connecting the handle (7) to the band.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, which includes the step of deforming the wall of the vessel (1 ) so as to encapsulate the band (3) at least partially.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9, in which the vessel (81) is open at one end, and in which the bank (89) is applied to the vessel in the form of a washer, which is (a) positioned on the open end of the vessel, and then (b) deformed downwardly so that it extends over the rim and engages both the inside and outside walls of the vessel.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, which includes the step of forming a solder connection between the band (3) and the handle (7) .

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, in which the bank (93) is associated with a base portion (83) into which the vessel (81) is received, and the method includes the step of fitting the vessel into the base portion.