Container

Abstract

A container includes: a transparent surrounding wall having an inner wall surface defining an accommodation space of the container, and an outer wall surface that is formed with a plurality of refractive regions, each of which is concave inwardly toward the inner wall surface; and an opaque surrounding medium covering one of the inner and outer wall surfaces of the transparent surrounding wall, and formed with a plurality of through-holes, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the refractive regions of the outer wall surface so as to permit passage of light therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a container, more particularly to a container with a light flashing effect.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventional containers, such as a bowl, a cup, etc., are normally formed with patterns or paintings thereon for aesthetic and attractive purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a container that can provide light flashing effect for different viewing angles through refraction of light.

[0006] Accordingly, a container of this invention comprises: a transparent surrounding wall including an inner wall surface defining an accommodation space of the container, and an outer wall surface that is formed with a plurality of refractive regions, each of which is concave inwardly toward the inner wall surface; and an opaque surrounding medium covering one of the inner and outer wall surfaces of the transparent surrounding wall, and formed with a plurality of through-holes, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the refractive regions of the outer wall surface so as to permit passage of light therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the first preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a refractive region of the first preferred embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention; and

[0012] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a refractive region of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Before the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying preferred embodiments, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention is in the form of a cup, and includes: a transparent surrounding wall 1 having an inner wall surface 12 defining an accommodation space 11 of the container, and an outer wall surface 131 that is formed with a plurality of refractive regions 132, each of which is concave inwardly toward the inner wall surface 12; and an opaque surrounding medium 2 covering the outer wall surface 131 of the transparent surrounding wall 1, and formed with a plurality of through-holes 21, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the refractive regions 132 of the outer wall surface 131 so as to permit passage of light therethrough.

[0015] In this embodiment, the transparent surrounding wall 1 is made from a transparent material, such as glass, transparent plastics, etc. The refractive regions 132 are circular in shape. Alternatively, the refractive regions 132 can be triangular, square, etc., in shape or be in the form of a figure instead.

[0016] Since each of the refractive regions 132 has characteristics similar to a concave lens, a mixed image resulting from reflections of other refractive regions 132 can be visualized through the selected refractive region 132. The mixed image thus formed varies with the viewing angle, and exhibits a light flashing effect.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention is shown to be different from the previous embodiment in that the opaque surrounding medium 2 covers the inner wall surface 12 of the transparent surrounding wall 1. The second preferred embodiment has the same light flashing effect as the previous embodiment.

[0018] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a transparent surrounding wall, including an inner wall surface defining an accommodation space of said container, and an outer wall surface that is formed with a plurality of refractive regions, each of which is concave inwardly toward said inner wall surface; and an opaque surrounding medium covering one of said inner and outer wall surfaces of said transparent surrounding wall, and formed with a plurality of through-holes, each of which is aligned with a respective one of said refractive regions of said outer wall surface so as to permit passage of light therethrough.

2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opaque surrounding medium covers said inner wall surface of said transparent surrounding wall.

3. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opaque surrounding medium covers said outer wall surface of said transparent surrounding wall.