GB2439140A - Drinking vessel with phosphorescent base - Google Patents

Abstract

A drinking vessel 2 has a phosphorescent layer 6 attached to its base 4. The layer may be formed from a phosphorescent polymer composition bonded to the base. The base of the vessel may be planar with a disc of the polymer adhered thereto. Alternatively, the base may have a domed (Figure 2) or flat-bottomed recess (Figure 3) with the phosphorescent layer held in the recess, such as by curing of the polymer composition poured into the recess. The vessel may be of transparent material such as glass.

Description

<p>1 2439140</p>

<p>A DRINKING VESSEL</p>

<p>This invention relates to a drinking vessel and in particular to a glass.</p>

<p>Back2round of the Invention Many people take a glass or cup of water to bed with them in case they wake up feeling thirsty during the night. The glass or cup is usually placed on a surface close to the bed so that it can be reached easily. Prior to picking up the glass during the night, it is often necessary to switch on the light so that the person can see to pick up the glass rather than fumbling around in the dark with the risk that the glass may be knocked over and the water spilt.</p>

<p>Various drinking vessels and containers are known that incorporate a luminescent e material so that they can be seen in the dark and examples include the cups: * disclosed in EP 1065433, US 6619811, CN 2610790Y, CN 2691407Y and US 2004/064989. * S. * . S...</p>

<p>The containers disclosed in the aforementioned documents appear to be somewhat *0S complex in construction and therefore are potentially expensive to manufacture. S. * *5* *</p>

<p>S S</p>

<p>In addition, various pads or bases upon which a glass can be supported are known and examples include the bases disclosed in CN 275466Y and US D468,970. The problem with providing a separate luminous base is that there is no guarantee that the cup or glass will be on the base and hence the user will still need in many cases * to turn on a light in order to see where the cup or glass is located.</p>

<p>Summary of the Invention: * *SS*</p>

<p>The invention provides a drinking vessel having attached to a base thereof a * phosphorescent layer. 1 S * By attaching a phosphorescent layer directly to the base of the drinking vessel, it is always possible to see where the drinking vessel is located.</p>

<p>Accordingly, in the first aspect, the invention provides a drinking vessel having attached to a base thereof a phosphorescent layer.</p>

<p>In the context of the present invention, the term base' refers to the bottom of the drinking vessel, i.e. an integral part of the drinking vessel, and not a separate base element as disclosed in some of the documents referred to above.</p>

<p>The phosphorescent layer may advantageously be formed from a phosphorescent polymer composition bonded to the base of the drinking vessel. Phosphorescent (luminous) polymer compositions are widely available commercially.</p>

<p>The phosphorescent polymer composition can be formed into a disc and then attached to the base of the drinking vessel and such an arrangement is suitable where the base of the drinking vessel is planar or where there is a recess in which the roof of the recess is planar. The pre-formed phosphorescent polymer layer can S.....</p>

<p>be simply glued into place with a suitable adhesive. : :.* . Alternatively, where the base of the drinking vessel has a recess, a curable phosphorescent polymer composition can be used and this may be cast into the: *.</p>

<p>recess.</p>

<p>* ** . The recess in the base of the drinking vessel may be, for example, a domed recess:: . or it can be a substantially cylindrical recess bounded by a downwardly oriented annular flange. * I</p>

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<p>The phosphorescent materials used in the drinking vessels of the invention are * : luminous; i.e. they glow in the dark. The luminous materials preferably obtain their energy from sunlight or artificial light and then release the energy as luminescence. * SS</p>

<p>The drinking vessels are typically formed from a transparent material such as glass. S:11 In a preferred embodiment, the drinking vessel is a glass. * 1.</p>

<p>* ** . *.. * In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a drinking vessel *.: as hereinbefore defined, which method comprises cutting a disc of phosphorescent polymer and adhering the disc to the base of the drinking vessel.</p>

<p>In another aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a drinking vessel having a recessed base, the method comprising pouring a curable phosphorescent polymer composition into the recess and allowing the phosphorescent polymer to cure.</p>

<p>Brief Description of the Drawings</p>

<p>Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation through a glass according to one embodiment of the invention.</p>

<p>Figure 2 is a side sectional elevation through a glass according to a second embodiment of the invention.</p>

<p>Figure 3 is a side sectional elevation through a glass according to a third embodiment of the invention. * *</p>

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<p>Detailed Description of the Invention:.. .</p>

<p>The invention will now be described but not limited by reference to the particular embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. : * * . *.</p>

<p>Figure 1 illustrates a glass according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this *..., * S*S embodiment, the glass 2 has a planar lower surface 4 to which is attached a layer 6. : of a phosphorescent (luminous) polymer. The layer 6 of phosphorescent polymer can be applied by forming a sheet of the polymer, cutting out a disc and then adhering the disc to the base 4 by means of a suitable adhesive (not shown). :...:. S...</p>

<p>Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the glass 102 has a domed recess 104 on it's under-surface with a layer of polymer 106 filling the domed recess. The polymer 106 can be introduced into the recess by * : casting a curable polymer composition and allowing it to cure. S 5*5</p>

<p>A third embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 3. In this embodiment, the **.</p>

<p>glass 202 has a generally cylindrical recess 204 on its underside bounded by the flange 208. A plug or layer of phosphorescent polymer material 206 is held within the recess. The plug 206 can be cast into the recess in situ using a curable phosphorescent polymer composition, or the disc can be die-cut from a sheet of phosphorescent polymer and then glued in place.</p>

<p>EQuivalents It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application. * S **S.</p>

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Claims (8)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1. A drinking vessel having attached to a base thereof a phosphorescent layer.</p>

   <p>
2. 2. A drinking vessel according to claim 1 wherein the phosphorescent layer is formed from a phosphorescent polymer composition bonded to the base of the drinking vessel.</p>

   <p>
3. 3. A drinking vessel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base of the drinking vessel is planar.</p>

   <p>
4. 4. A drinking vessel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base of the drinking vessel is recessed and the phosphorescent layer is at least partially held in the recess.</p>

   <p>
5. 5. A drinking vessel according to claim 4 wherein the base of the drinking vessel has a domed recess. *:.* .
6. 6. A drinking vessel according to claim 4 wherein the base of the drinking vessel has a cylindrical recess bounded by a downwardly oriented annular: * : flange, and the phosphorescent layer is at least partially held in the * **** cylindrical recess. ***
7. 7. A drinking vessel according to any one of the preceding claims which is formed from a transparent material.</p>

   <p>8. A drinking vessel according to claim 7 which is formed from glass. * 9. A drinking vessel according to any one of the preceding claims which is a glass. : *.</p>

   <p>10. A drinking vessel substantially as described herein with reference to * accompanying drawing Figure 1 * 11. A drinking vessel substantially as described herein with reference to accompanying drawings Figures 2 and 3 12. A method of producing a drinking vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 10, which process comprises cuffing a disc of phosphorescent polymer and adhering the disc to the base of a drinking vessel.</p>

   <p>13. A method of producing a drinking vessel according to any one of claims 4 to 6 and 11, which process comprises pouring a curable phosphorescent polymer composition into the recess and allowing the phosphorescent polymer to cure. 4 *</p>

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