GB2332897A

GB2332897A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2332897A
Application number: GB9800196A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ching-Chen Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-06
Filing date: 1998-01-06
Publication date: 1999-07-07
Also published as: GB9800196D0

Abstract

A container comprises a container (10) including an outer periphery formed with a plurality of patterns (12) and an annular shell (20) rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the container and defining a plurality of viewing openings (22). The annular shell (20) can be rotated relative to the container (10) between a first position, in which a first group of the patterns (12) is aligned with the viewing openings (22), and a second position, in which a second group of patterns (12) is aligned with viewing openings (22). The container may form a cup or canteen.

Description

CONTAINER STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional container structure is shown in Fig. 5, and a complete illustration will follow in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional container structure.

SUMMARY OF TEE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container structure comprising a cylindrical container including an outer periphery formed with a plurality of patterns, and an annular shell rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the container and defining a plurality of viewing openings therein.

The annular shell can be rotated relative to the cylindrical container to a first position where a first group of the plurality of patterns each align with a corresponding one of the plurality of viewing openings, and a second position where a second group of the plurality of patterns each align with a corresponding one of the plurality of viewing openings.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the container structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front plan cross-sectional view of the container structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a container structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional container structure in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For a better understanding of features and benefits of the present invention, reference is now made to Fig. 5, illustrating a conventional container structure according to the prior art.

The conventional container structure is shaped as a cup and comprises a cylindrical body 50 including a top portion 52 formed with a first pattern 56 on an outer periphery thereof, a mediate portion, and a bottom portion 54 formed with a second pattern 58 on an outer periphery thereof, a handle 55 including an upper end portion secured to the top portion 52 of the body 50 and a lower end portion secured to the bottom portion 54 of the body 50, and three rings 60 each rotatably mounted on the mediate portion of the body 50 and each formed with a third pattern 62 on an outer periphery thereof.

In operation, each of the three rings 60 can be rotated relative to the top portion 52 and the bottom portion 54 of the body 50 respectively to a position where the first pattern 56, each of the three third patterns 62, and the second pattern 58 align with each other so as to form an entire figure such as a figure of a lion, thereby providing a visual sense to a user.

By such an arrangement, however, the visual sense provided by the container structure is exposed to the user in a static manner so as to cause a monotonous sensation to the user, thereby greatly decreasing the versatility of the container structure.

In addition, the container structure is secured and cannot be dismantled such that each of the three rings 60 cannot be detached from the body 50 to be washed, thereby easily incurring dirt and dust in gaps therebetween.

Referring to the remaining drawings, and initially to Figs. 1-3, a container structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention can be shaped as a cup and comprises a cylindrical container 10 including an outer periphery formed with a plurality of patterns 12, and an annular shell 20 rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the container 10 and defining a plurality of viewing openings or windows 22 therein.

The cylindrical container 10 includes an open top portion formed with an annular head 11 extending radially and outwardly, and an annular shoulder 13 formed between the annular head 11 and the top portion of the cylindrical container 10 and abutting on a top portion of the annular shell 20.

The cylindrical container 10 includes a closed bottom portion having an outer periphery formed with an outer thread 14. An end cap 30 abuts on a bottom portion of the annular shell 20 and includes an inner periphery formed with an inner thread 32 threadedly engaged on the outer thread 14 of the bottom portion of the cylindrical container 10.

In operation, the annular shell 20 can be rotated relative to the cylindrical container 10 to a first position where a first group of the plurality of patterns 12 each align with a corresponding one of the plurality of viewing openings 22, and a second position where a second group of the plurality of patterns 12 each align with a corresponding one of the plurality of viewing openings 22.

By such an arrangement, different types of patterns 12 can be exposed to a user via the plurality of viewing openings 22 by means of rotating the annular shell 20 so as to provide a variety of visual senses to the user in a manner like an animated drawing, thereby enhancing the versatility of the container structure.

In addition, the container structure can be assembled and dismantled easily such that the cylindrical container 10 and the annular shell 20 can be separated from each other to be cleaned respectively.

Referring now to the Fig. 4, a container structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention can be shaped as a canteen.

It should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A container structure comprising: a cylindrical container (10) including an outer periphery formed with a plurality of patterns (12); and an annular shell (20) rotatably mounted on said outer periphery of said container (10) and defining a plurality of viewing openings (22) therein; wherein, said annular shell (20) can be rotated relative to said cylindrical container (10) to a first position where a first group of said plurality of patterns (12) each align with a corresponding one of said plurality of viewing openings (22), and a second position where a second group of said plurality of patterns (12) each align with a corresponding one of said plurality of viewing openings (22).

2. The container structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cylindrical container (10) includes an open top portion formed with an annular head (11) extending radially and outwardly, and an annular shoulder (13) formed between said annular head (11) and said top portion of said cylindrical container (10) and abutting on a top portion of said annular shell (20).

3. The container structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cylindrical container (10) includes a closed bottom portion having an outer periphery formed with an outer thread (14), and said container structure further comprises an end cap (30) abutting on a bottom portion of said annular shell (20) and including an inner periphery formed with an inner thread (32) threadedly engaged on said outer thread (14) of said bottom portion of said cylindrical container (10).