WO2019206110A1

WO2019206110A1 - Illuminable vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2019206110A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/083801
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chiuyuet Kelvin TSANG
Original assignee: Top Ten Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Top Ten Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2019-04-23
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-23
Also published as: GB201806591D0; GB2573112A; CN210112706U; TWM585548U; GB2573181A

Abstract

An illuminable vessel (10) comprising: a base (12) with an upwardly projecting 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 (12) including a hollow projection (24) extending upwardly into the receptacle (20), the projection (24) including an upper light transmitting portion (13) mounted on a lower support portion (11) and a downwardly opening cavity (25) extending through the lower support portion (11) and the upper light transmitting portion (13), the support portion (11) having a larger diameter than the light transmitting portion (13); and a light source comprising a body and a light emitting portion, the light source being arranged to emit light from the light source into the downwardly opening cavity (25) and from the downwardly opening cavity (25) into the receptacle (20); wherein an interior surface of the support portion (11) is separated from a corresponding interior surface of the light transmitting portion (13) by a shoulder (21); and wherein the light source is arranged so that the light emitting portion is located within the light transmitting portion (13) and the body of the light source may optionally abut the shoulder (21).

Description

[Title established by the ISA under Rule 37.2] ILLUMINABLE VESSEL

The present invention relates to an illuminable vessel. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an illuminable drinking vessel such as a cup, glass or beaker for receiving a liquid, drink or beverage.

Known illuminable cups, glasses or beakers incorporate light sources into the base of the vessel. The base is configured 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 walls 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 wall 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 often poorly illuminated as a large amount of the light emitted passes through the side wall of the base or is refracted out of the vessel through water located immediately adjacent the base.

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 present 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 including an upper light transmitting portion mounted on a lower support portion and a downwardly opening cavity extending through the lower support portion and the upper light transmitting portion, the support portion having a larger diameter than the light transmitting portion; and

a light source comprising a body and a light emitting portion, the light source being arranged to emit light from the light source into the downwardly opening cavity and from the downwardly opening cavity into the receptacle;

wherein an interior surface of the support portion is separated from corresponding interior surface of the light transmitting portion by a shoulder; and

wherein the light source is arranged so that the light emitting portion is located within the light transmitting portion and the body of the light source may optionally abut the shoulder.

The aforementioned internal shoulder/light source arrangement prevents light, emitted from the light source, from entering the lower support portion. This is advantageous as light emitted into the support portion is transmitted away from the receptacle of the drinking vessel. Also, reducing the cross-sectional area of the light transmitting portion allows light to be transmitted out of the light transmitting portion more readily and thereby minimises reflection of light from the inner surface of the light transmitting portion.

In an embodiment, an exterior surface of the support portion is separated from a corresponding exterior surface of the light transmitting portion by a shoulder.

In an embodiment, both the interior and exterior surfaces of the support portion are separated from corresponding interior and exterior surfaces of the light transmitting portion by respective shoulders.

In an embodiment, the body of the light source may abut the interior shoulder of the support portion. This prevents the light source from extending too far into the upper light transmitting portion and reduces a risk of damage to the lamp due to contact with the surface of the light transmitting portion.

Alternatively the body of the light source may be prevented from contacting the shoulder by engagement with the base or a surface of a downwardly opening cavity in the base. The shoulder may provide a backstop preventing excessive penetration of the lamp into the hollow projection and improving refractive scattering of light within the body of the vessel in use.

The projection is preferably located axially of the drinking vessel.

The projection may have an elongate configuration. The ratio of the height to width of the projection may be in the range 3: 1 to 10: 1, for example 5: 1 to 10: 1.

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 may also provide different intensities of light in different parts of the liquid and/or drinking vessel.

The wall thickness of the hollow projection may be thinner than the side wall of the base. This 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 hollow projection may have a pointed tip or rounded end. The rounded end when present may have a diameter less than 1/4 (25%) of the internal diameter of the receptacle. This may ensure that light is effectively transmitted into the body of liquid.

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

The light transmitting portion may be tubular, for example cylindrical, and having a closed upper end.

Alternatively, the light transmitting portion may be bulb-shaped. The light transmitting portion may have an upper closed end, a lower end communicating with the support portion, the light transmitting portion having a maximum external diameter intermediate the upper and lower ends.

Alternatively, the light transmitting portion may be finger-shaped.

The light transmitting portion may be circular, ovoid or polygonal in horizontal cross-section. Preferably, the light transmitting portion is circular in horizontal cross-section. Such an arrangement facilitates transmission of light at equal intensity in all directions into the liquid contained in the vessel.

The light transmitting portion may have a generally constant wall thickness, having an interior surface defining part or all of the cavity and an external surface defining part of the receptacle.

One or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of the light transmitting portion may be polished, frosted or translucent. In an embodiment, one or both of the interior and exterior surfaces may be provided with prismatic projections. The prismatic projections may be located in an array covering the whole or part of the exterior surface of the light transmitting portion. Such a configuration may enhance dispersion of light into a body of liquid in the receptacle and may produce an attractive spectral effect, particularly if the liquid is a carbonated beverage.

Use of a frosted or prismatic surface may reduce visibility of the lamp located in the cavity to give an attractive appearance to a user.

The shoulder may comprise an annular region having interior and exterior surfaces facing at different angles to the vertical axis to the corresponding adjacent surfaces of the light transmitting portion. The shoulder may have surfaces arranged at an angle between 0° and 45° to the horizontal. Such an arrangement provides enhanced refraction of light upwardly into the liquid in the vessel to provide a greater diversity of illumination effect.

The light source may be located only partially within the downwardly opening cavity. Alternatively, the light source may be 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 separate compartment within the base to receive the light source. If the drinking vessels are made of a light weight or lower density material, such as plastics, which may be less dense than water, then reducing the amount of material within the base region lowers the centre of mass when water is present as a larger volume of water is located at the outer 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 filled with liquid.

The above arrangements provide greater illumination 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. This 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, the 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 allow 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 off.

The hollow projection may extend upwardly along a central longitudinal axis of the illuminable drinking vessel. This helps to provide a uniform distribution of light within 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 be emitted from the hollow projection into the receptacle at a specific location and thereby provide greater illumination at a specific point within the liquid and/or drinking vessel. Furthermore, locating the light source in a part of the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection having a reduced cross-sectional area helps to minimise reflection of light from the surface of the hollow projection into the receptacle.

The light source may comprise a self-contained unit which is removably securable within the hollow projection.

The light emitting portion may comprise a bulb, for example an LED lamp, a battery or other power supply and a switch mechanism. The switch may comprise a flexible metallic conductor. A screw actuator comprising a manual engagement cap and an actuator head, may be mounted on a screw thread, arranged so that rotation of the cap causes the actuator head to be screwed toward or away from the conductor to urge the conductor to make or break respectively a circuit between the lamp and power supply.

The housing may have an external surface, for example a cylindrical external surface, dimensioned to be a friction fit within the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection, so that the lamp is located within the downwardly opening cavity of the hollow projection.

The side wall may be composed of a refractive, reflective, translucent or transparent material. In particular, a frosted, textured or faceted translucent material may be 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 at 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 wall 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 be 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. Either the light source or the receptacle may be discarded and replaced if necessary, so that the receptacle or light source respectively may be re-used.

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 attachment 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 transverse 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 second cylindrical chambers of the light source enclosure.

The invention is further described by means of example, but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the illuminable drinking vessel;

Figure 2 shows the vessel of Figure 1 with light source removed;

Figure 3 shows the lamp unit of the vessel of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 show the actuation of the lamp unit shown in Figure 3;

Figures 6 and 7 show a vertical sectional view of a second embodiment of the illuminable drinking vessel; and

Figure 8 shows a vertical sectional view of a third embodiment of the illuminable drinking vessel.

The illuminable drinking vessel 10 of Figures 1 to 5 is symmetrical about a vertical axis and comprises a translucent base 12 and a translucent side wall 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 and ending at an upper rim 16 defining an opening 18 to a receptacle 20 into which liquid can be poured. The base 12 and side wall 14 collectively define the receptacle 20. The base 12 comprises a 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 hollow projection 24 is located inwardly of the circumference of the base and may have a ratio of the diameter to the internal diameter of the receptacle which is less than 1/4, preferably less than 1/5 of the internal diameter of the receptacle 20. The lower part of 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 further comprises a lower support portion 11 and an upper light-transmitting portion 13. The lower support portion 11 extends axially, upwardly away from an inner edge 15 of the recess 26. The light transmitting portion 13 further extends axially upwardly from the top of the lower support portion 11. The transverse cross-sectional area of the light transmitting portion 13 is less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the support portion 11. The support and light transmitting portions are in communication with each other and thereby define a cavity which forms a channel to receive the lamp unit 38 in use. The upper end of the upper light transmitting portion 13 forms a pointed tip. The drinking vessel 10 further comprises a lip which may take the form of an annular flange 36 located at the top of the side wall 14. Interior and exterior surfaces of the support portion 11 are separated from corresponding interior and exterior surfaces of the light transmitting portion 13 by respective shoulders.

The removable light source 38 is shown in detail in Figures 3 to 5.

The lamp unit 38 comprises a housing 17 and a screw actuator 34 engaged within the housing by a screw thread. A circular roughened hand grip serves to allow a user to rotate the actuator 34 within the housing 17 to cause an actuator head 32 to move towards or away from a resilient metallic contact 30. Movement, upwardly as shown, of the contact 30 causes a contact head 31 to move towards the electrode of battery 29 to complete an electrical circuit to LED bulb 27. A transparent casing 23 encloses the bulb 27.

Figure 4 shows the lamp unit in the “off” position with the actuator head 32 lowered and the contact head 31 disengaged from the battery 29.

Figure 5 shows the lamp unit in the “on” position with the actuator head 32 raised to cause the contact head 31 engaged with the battery 29.

An external surface 19 of the housing/body of the lamp unit, has a shoulder 21 and upper narrower section 40 configured to form a sliding, friction fit within the cavity of hollow projection 24 of the vessel. The shoulder 21 may be arranged to abut the interior shoulder of the support portion 11.

The lamp unit 38 may also comprise a flange located adjacent the circular roughened hand grip. The flange is arranged to contact the inner edge 15 of the recess 26 so as to restrict upward displacement of the lamp unit within the cavity 25 of the hollow projection 24. The flange therefore allows the lamp unit 38 to be held at a predetermined location within the cavity 25.

Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the illuminable drinking vessel 10. The general structure of the drinking vessel 10 is the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 5. The exterior surface of the support portion 11 and the light transmitting portion 13 form a continuously curved surface and accordingly no external shoulder is present on the exterior surface of the hollow projection 24. The interior surface of the support portion 11 is separated from a corresponding interior surface of the light transmitting portion 13 by an interior shoulder. As shown in Figure 7, via cross-hatching, the light transmitting portion 13 may have a textured interior surface.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the illuminable drinking vessel 10. The general structure of the drinking vessel 10 is the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 5. The exterior and interior surfaces of the support portion 11 and the light transmitting portion 13 form a continuously curved surface. Accordingly, no internal or external shoulder is present on the interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of the hollow projection 24. This embodiment does not form part of the claimed invention.

Various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The side wall 14 of the drinking vessel 10 of the first and second embodiments may be composed of a translucent or transparent material. The hollow projection 24 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 may be composed of a translucent or transparent material.

Claims

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 retained, the base including a hollow projection extending upwardly into the receptacle, the projection including an upper light transmitting portion mounted on a lower support portion and a downwardly opening cavity extending through the lower support portion and the upper light transmitting portion, the support portion having a larger diameter than the light transmitting portion; and

a light source comprising a body and a light emitting portion, the light source being arranged to emit light from the light source into the downwardly opening cavity and from the downwardly opening cavity into the receptacle;

wherein an interior surface of the support portion is separated from a corresponding interior surface of the light transmitting portion by a shoulder; and

wherein the light source is arranged so that the light emitting portion is located within the light transmitting portion and the body of the light source may optionally abut the shoulder.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light transmitting portion is tubular.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein one or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of the light transmitting portion are polished, frosted or translucent.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interior or exterior surface of the light transmitting portion comprises prismatic projections.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow projection extends upwardly along a central longitudinal axis of the illuminable vessel.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in 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.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow projection comprises a pointed tip.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source is removably located in the base.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light source is held within the base through frictional engagement.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source comprises a lamp unit comprising an LED lamp, a battery and a switch mechanism.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch comprises a flexible metallic conductor.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in claim 11, wherein a screw actuator comprising a manual engagement cap and an actuator head is mounted on a screw thread, arranged so that rotation of the cap causes the actuator head to be screwed toward or away from the conductor.
An illuminable vessel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base and the side wall are formed as a unitary construction.