Insulated double walled drinking vessel and method of making the same
AssigneeTervis Tumbler Company
InventorThomas Melton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a tumbler, and method of making the same is disclosed. The vessel basically comprises a pre-molded inner vessel formed of a plastic material having a sidewall is disposed within a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material having a sidewall to form a subassembly having an insulating air space between the sidewalls. Each of the vessels includes a contoured surface including at least one projection or depression. A ring of plastic material is molded in-situ on the contoured surfaces to cause portions thereof to melt and intermingle with the plastic material of the ring to form a homogenous joint having a depth no greater than approximately 0.003 inch. The ring forms the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.
Claims22
An insulated drinking vessel comprising an inner vessel, an outer vessel, and a ring, said inner vessel, said outer vessel and said ring each being formed of a plastic material, said inner vessel being pre-molded and including a top edge portion, said outer vessel being pre-molded and including a top edge portion, said pre-molded inner vessel being disposed within said pre-molded outer vessel with said top edge portion of said pre-molded inner vessel being disposed adjacent said top edge portion of said pre-molded outer vessel, said top edge portion of said inner vessel having a contoured surface including at least one projection or depression, said top edge portion of said outer vessel having a contoured surface including at least one projection or depression, said ring being molded in-situ on said contoured surfaces of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels to cause the plastic material thereof to fuse together and intermingle with said plastic material of said ring to form a homogenous joint having a depth no greater than approximately 0.003 inch, said ring forming the lip of said drinking vessel.
A method for making an insulated drinking vessel comprising:
- a) providing a pre-molded inner vessel formed of a plastic material and having a top edge portion including a contoured surface including at least one projection or depression;
- b) providing a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material and having a top edge portion including a contoured surface including at least one projection or depression;
- c) disposing said inner vessel within said outer vessel whereupon said top edge portion of said inner vessel is disposed adjacent said top edge portion of said outer vessel;
- and
- d) molding a ring of plastic material in-situ on said contoured portions of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels to cause portions of the plastic material of said top edge portions thereof to fuse together and intermingle with said plastic material of said ring to form a homogenous joint having a depth no greater than approximately 0.003 inch, said ring forming the lip of said drinking vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.