Automatic base-mounted container illuminator

[0001] We claim benefit to the earlier filed provisional application, No. 60/556,524, filed on Mar. 26, 2004, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e).

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a novelty item in the form of an automatic base-mounted container Illuminator (hereinafter “Illuminator”) that attaches to the base of a liquid container and has a light source therein. The Illuminator incorporates an electrical switch mechanism that causes the device to engage and illuminate the liquid container when the liquid container and attached Illuminator are lifted from a surface. The switch mechanism disengages and stops illuminating the container when the container and Illuminator are placed upon a surface. The invention causes a visually pleasing effect when the liquid container that the Illuminator is attached to is being used to dispense liquid. The Illuminator illuminates the liquid inside of a container and the container itself. The Illuminator is useful as a promotional or novelty item for a business or product. It is also useful for personal enjoyment and the visual effect is pleasing to observers.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Products for illuminating liquid containers are well know in the art. For example, bottle glorifiers as frequently seen in restaurants and bars (as seen on www.creativemag.com/plast1102.html, last visited Feb. 12, 2005) are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,113. These glorifiers are designed to illuminate a bottle while the bottle is resting on top of the glorifier. Moreover, these glorifiers are designed to act as a pedestal upon which the bottle rests. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,848 and application #20030076672 describe illumination devices that attach to the base of a bottle. These illumination devices operate with a manual switch and do not work automatically. The present invention improves upon the prior art in that the Illuminator automatically illuminates the liquid container and any liquid contained therein when the container that is attached to the Illuminator is lifted from a surface. It ceases illuminating the liquid container and any liquid contained therein when the container that is attached to the Illuminator is returned to a surface.

[0006] This invention relates to an apparatus that attaches to the base of a liquid container due to a high level of friction between an outer surface of the liquid container and the Illuminator's high friction, liquid-proof outer coating. The Illuminator automatically illuminates the liquid inside of a container and the container itself when the liquid container and attached Illuminator are lifted from a surface. The Illuminator can be utilized to create a variety of attractive and desirable visual effects. One embodiment of the present invention is to have an Illuminator that illuminates the liquid contained within the container and the container itself when the container is lifted from a standing position. A hollow base of the Illuminator houses an electrical switch mechanism that engages when pressure is removed from the bottom of the Illuminator (e.g., the Illuminator is lifted from a surface that it had been placed on in the upright position). When the electrical switch mechanism is engaged a connection between a power source and a light source is completed and the container and any liquid contained therein is illuminated. The Illuminator illuminates the container and any liquid contained therein during the time that there is little or no pressure on the bottom surface of the Illuminator (e.g., the bottom of the Illuminator is not in contact with a surface). When the container and attached Illuminator are returned to a surface and enough pressure is restored to the bottom surface of the Illuminator (e.g., the Illuminator is placed upon a surface in the upright position), the electrical switch mechanism disengages and causes the connection between the power source and the light source to be interrupted. This causes the Illuminator to stop illuminating the container and any liquid contained therein. The present invention may be understood in greater detail to the drawings, the brief description of the drawings, and the detailed description of the invention.

[0015] The drawings represent the preferred embodiment of the Automatic Base-Mounted Container Illuminator. The Illuminator attaches to liquid container (10) by having high friction, liquid-proof outer coating (1) bear elastically and grip the outer wall of liquid container (10) creating a high level of friction that causes the Illuminator to remain secured to liquid container (10). Packaging ribbon (9) prevents leaf switch (6) from engaging the electrical circuit between power source (4) and light source (5) prior to first use. This is because packaging ribbon (9) is a removable nonconductive material positioned below leaf switch (6) and above one or more electrical contacts (8), located on PC board (7). When packaging ribbon (9) is removed, leaf switch (6) extends downward and completes the circuit because it contacts one of the electrical contacts (8), unless and until button switch (2) is depressed. Button switch (2) is a molded protrusion on the surface of liquid proof outer coating (1) that is positioned below leaf switch (6). Depression of button switch (2) causes leaf switch (6) to move upward and break the circuit between light source (5) and power source (4), because the button extends upward through an opening in inner housing (3) to come in contact with leaf switch (6).

[0016] The foregoing description is intended to serve as an example of the invention in one of its preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.