Method of making insulated drinking vessels

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. A ring of plastic material is molded in-situ on top portions of the inner and outer vessels of the subassembly to cause portions of the plastic material of the inner and outer vessels to melt and intermingle with the plastic material of the ring to form a non-superficial homogenous joint. The ring forms the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An insulated drinking vessel produced by:
 a) providing an inner vessel pre-molded of a plastic material and having a top edge portion;   b) providing an outer vessel pre-molded of a plastic material and having a top edge portion;   c) disposing said pre-molded inner vessel within said pre-molded outer vessel, whereupon said top edge portion of said pre-molded inner vessel is adjacent said top edge portion of said pre-molded outer vessel; and   d) molding a ring of a plastic material in-situ on said top edge portions of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels to cause portions of the plastic material of said top edge portions to fuse together and intermingle with portions of said ring to form a non-superficial homogenous joint.   
     
     
         2 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said plastic material of said pre-molded inner vessel, said pre-molded outer vessel and said ring is the same plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 2  wherein said plastic material comprises copolyester. 
     
     
         4 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said top edge portion of one of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels comprises an annular flange and wherein said top edge portion of the other of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels includes an annular recess for receipt of said annular flange. 
     
     
         5 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 4  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel comprises said annular flange and wherein said pre-molded outer vessel comprises said annular recess. 
     
     
         6 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel, said pre-molded outer vessel and said ring are each transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel and said pre-molded outer vessel are transparent and wherein said ring is colored. 
     
     
         8 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said ring includes a top free edge, and wherein the thickness of said ring tapers downward in thickness in a direction from said pre-molded inner and outer vessels toward said top free edge. 
     
     
         9 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 1  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel includes a sidewall and wherein said pre-molded outer vessel comprises a sidewall, and wherein portions of said sidewall of said pre-molded inner vessel are spaced from portions of said sidewall of said pre-molded outer vessel to form an insulating air space therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The insulated drinking vessel of  claim 9  wherein said sidewall of said outer member is transparent and wherein said drinking vessel additionally comprising a decorative member disposed within said insulating air space and visible through said transparent sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . 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;   b) providing a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material and having a top edge portion;   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 top edge portions 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 non-superficial homogenous joint, said ring forming the lip of said drinking vessel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plastic material of said inner vessel, said outer vessel and said ring is the same plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said plastic material comprises copolyester. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said top edge portion of one of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels comprises an annular flange and wherein said top edge portion of the other of said pre-molded inner and outer vessels includes an annular recess for receipt of said annular flange. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel comprises said annular flange and wherein said pre-molded outer vessel comprises said annular recess. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel, said pre-molded outer vessel and said ring are transparent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said pre-molded inner vessel and said pre-molded outer vessel are transparent and wherein said ring is colored. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said ring includes a top free edge, and wherein the thickness of said ring tapers downward in thickness in a direction from said pre-molded inner and outer vessels toward said top free edge. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said inner vessel includes a sidewall and wherein said outer vessel comprises a sidewall, and wherein portions of said sidewall of said inner vessel are spaced from portions of said sidewall of said outer vessel to form an insulating air space therebetween when said inner vessel is disposed within said outer vessel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  additionally comprising disposing a decorative item within said insulating air space. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said decorative item comprises a wrap.