EP1520794A1 - Illuminating container - Google Patents
Illuminating container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1520794A1 EP1520794A1 EP04255961A EP04255961A EP1520794A1 EP 1520794 A1 EP1520794 A1 EP 1520794A1 EP 04255961 A EP04255961 A EP 04255961A EP 04255961 A EP04255961 A EP 04255961A EP 1520794 A1 EP1520794 A1 EP 1520794A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- container according
- illumination means
- switch
- light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C3/00—Flexible luggage; Handbags
- A45C3/06—Ladies' handbags
- A45C3/08—Handbags provided with removable or washable covers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C15/00—Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles
- A45C15/06—Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles with illuminating devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/14—Linings or internal coatings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/004—Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
- A45C11/20—Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means
Definitions
- the present invention is concerned with a container, such as a toy bag, toy box or lunch box, the outside of which may be illuminated.
- a container including an inner liner, an outer skin which includes at least one transparent panel, and an illumination means arranged in an area substantially between the inner liner and the outer skin, the illumination means arranged to be switched by a switching element between an on position whereby light is permitted to shine through the at least one transparent panel and an off position whereby the illumination means is off.
- the container may be a flexible bag, a novelty bag such as a toy bag, a toy box or a food box (such as the type known as a lunch box or sandwich box).
- the container may be of a flexible material or alternatively, the container may be of a rigid material (such as a plastics).
- the container is envisaged that it is of the type known as a lunchbox, sandwich box or the like.
- the inner lining is flexible, and that when the outer skin is rigid, the inner lining is rigid.
- the outer skin may be rigid and the inner lining is flexible, and vice versa.
- the outer skin and the inner layer substantially do not contain any apertures.
- the container is hinged. It is particularly advantageous that, when the container is a lunch box or the like, the container is formed in two portions which are hinged together.
- the inner lining is substantially contained within any one portion (or half) of the container, thereby permitting the other portion (or half) to be substantially free of the inner liner.
- the transparent panels may be arranged in the outer skin of the container to form a desired pattern.
- the pattern may be, for example, a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like.
- the panels may be tinted various colours. This is particularly advantageous to enhance the pattern.
- the one or more of the transparent panels may be removable from the container. This would be advantageous as the pattern formed by the transparent panels could be changed by the user without changing the entire container. For example if the transparent panel included a logo, it could be interchanged with a panel having a different logo.
- the illuminating means may include one or more bulbs.
- the bulbs may emit light at a variety of wavelengths so that the appearance of white light is seen.
- the bulbs may be arranged to emit light of a specific colour. This is particularly advantageous when the panel is not tinted. It is particularly preferred that two or more bulbs are included in the container. However, a plurality of bulbs are particularly preferred.
- the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element. It is therefore particularly preferred that the illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.
- the switch element may include a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch.
- the switch is typically arranged at an external portion of the bag.
- the switch may be arranged on a handle portion of the bag or alternatively a side portion or a bottom portion. It is also envisaged that the switch element is arranged at an openable portion of the container.
- the switch element may be a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the container is opened or closed.
- the sensor means may be arranged to switch the illumination means on and/or off when the container is placed on a surface, for example it may be light sensitive or pressure sensitive.
- the liner may be transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the bag when the switch element is in an on position. Alternatively, it may be opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the container when the illumination means is switched on.
- the area formed by the inner liner and the outer skin further includes a light reflective or glittering material.
- the light reflective material creates an enhanced illumination through the at least one transparent panel.
- a bag 1 manufactured from a flexible material, such as fabric.
- the bag has a front portion 2 and a back portion 3.
- the front portion 2 includes six yellow tinted transparent panels 4 and opaque panels 5 which, together form the outline of the suns rays.
- the opaque panels 5 are typically manufactured from flexible plastics material
- the illumination means 6 includes eight bulbs 7 (only 4 of which are shown) and a battery 8.
- Switch 9 is positioned on handle 10. Switch 9 is electrically connected to illumination means 6 by circuit 11.
- a lunchbox generally indicated by the numeral 21.
- the lunchbox 21 is manufactured from a rigid plastics material.
- the lunchbox 21 has a front portion 22 connected to a back portion 23, via hinge 26 which permits opening of the lunchbox to access the inside.
- the front portion 22 includes a removable panel 27 comprising yellow tinted transparent panels 24 and opaque panels 25 which, together form the outline of the suns rays.
- the panel 27 can be removed from front portion 22 via opening 28.
- the lunch box 21 includes illumination means (not shown) which has a similar arrangement to the illumination means shown in figure 2.
- Switch 29 is positioned on handle 30.
- switch 29 In use, switch 29 is turned to an on position.
- the illumination means (not shown) shines light through panels 24 to give the appearance of the suns rays.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention is concerned with a container, such as a toy bag, toy box or lunch box, the outside of which may be illuminated.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a container including an inner liner, an outer skin which includes at least one transparent panel, and an illumination means arranged in an area substantially between the inner liner and the outer skin, the illumination means arranged to be switched by a switching element between an on position whereby light is permitted to shine through the at least one transparent panel and an off position whereby the illumination means is off.
- It is particularly preferred that the container may be a flexible bag, a novelty bag such as a toy bag, a toy box or a food box (such as the type known as a lunch box or sandwich box). The container may be of a flexible material or alternatively, the container may be of a rigid material (such as a plastics). When the container is of a rigid material, it is envisaged that it is of the type known as a lunchbox, sandwich box or the like.
- It is preferred that when the outer skin is flexible, the inner lining is flexible, and that when the outer skin is rigid, the inner lining is rigid. However, it is envisaged that the outer skin may be rigid and the inner lining is flexible, and vice versa.
- Typically, the outer skin and the inner layer substantially do not contain any apertures.
- Typically, the container is hinged. It is particularly advantageous that, when the container is a lunch box or the like, the container is formed in two portions which are hinged together. In this embodiment it is envisaged that the inner lining is substantially contained within any one portion (or half) of the container, thereby permitting the other portion (or half) to be substantially free of the inner liner.
- The transparent panels may be arranged in the outer skin of the container to form a desired pattern. The pattern may be, for example, a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like. The panels may be tinted various colours. This is particularly advantageous to enhance the pattern.
- It is further envisaged that the one or more of the transparent panels may be removable from the container. This would be advantageous as the pattern formed by the transparent panels could be changed by the user without changing the entire container. For example if the transparent panel included a logo, it could be interchanged with a panel having a different logo.
- The illuminating means may include one or more bulbs. The bulbs may emit light at a variety of wavelengths so that the appearance of white light is seen. Alternatively, the bulbs may be arranged to emit light of a specific colour. This is particularly advantageous when the panel is not tinted. It is particularly preferred that two or more bulbs are included in the container. However, a plurality of bulbs are particularly preferred. Typically, the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element. It is therefore particularly preferred that the illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.
- The switch element may include a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch. The switch is typically arranged at an external portion of the bag. The switch may be arranged on a handle portion of the bag or alternatively a side portion or a bottom portion. It is also envisaged that the switch element is arranged at an openable portion of the container. In this embodiment, the switch element may be a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the container is opened or closed. Alternatively, the sensor means may be arranged to switch the illumination means on and/or off when the container is placed on a surface, for example it may be light sensitive or pressure sensitive.
- The liner may be transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the bag when the switch element is in an on position. Alternatively, it may be opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the container when the illumination means is switched on.
- It is preferred that the area formed by the inner liner and the outer skin further includes a light reflective or glittering material. Advantageously, the light reflective material creates an enhanced illumination through the at least one transparent panel.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a bag according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 represents a cross sectional view of the bag shown in figure 1;
- Figure 3 represents a side view of the bag shown in figure 1; and
- Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a lunchbox according to the present invention
-
- Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, where like numerals are used to identify like parts, there is shown a
bag 1 manufactured from a flexible material, such as fabric. The bag has afront portion 2 and a back portion 3. Thefront portion 2 includes six yellow tintedtransparent panels 4 andopaque panels 5 which, together form the outline of the suns rays. Theopaque panels 5 are typically manufactured from flexible plastics material - The illumination means 6 includes eight bulbs 7 (only 4 of which are shown) and a
battery 8.Switch 9 is positioned onhandle 10.Switch 9 is electrically connected to illumination means 6 bycircuit 11. - In use,
switch 9 is turned to the on position by the user of thebag 1, thereby completing thecircuit 11. Bulbs 7 andbattery 8 are therefore electrically connected. The bulbs 7 illuminate and shine light throughpanels 4 to give the appearance of the sun. Referring to figure 4, there is provided a lunchbox generally indicated by thenumeral 21. Thelunchbox 21 is manufactured from a rigid plastics material. Thelunchbox 21 has afront portion 22 connected to aback portion 23, viahinge 26 which permits opening of the lunchbox to access the inside. Thefront portion 22 includes aremovable panel 27 comprising yellow tintedtransparent panels 24 andopaque panels 25 which, together form the outline of the suns rays. Thepanel 27 can be removed fromfront portion 22 via opening 28. - The
lunch box 21 includes illumination means (not shown) which has a similar arrangement to the illumination means shown in figure 2.Switch 29 is positioned on handle 30. - In use,
switch 29 is turned to an on position. The illumination means (not shown) shines light throughpanels 24 to give the appearance of the suns rays.
Claims (17)
- A container including an inner liner, an outer skin which includes at least one transparent panel, and an illumination means arranged in an area substantially between the inner liner and the outer skin, the illumination means arranged to be switched by a switching element between an on position whereby light is permitted to shine through the at least one transparent panel and an off position whereby the illumination means is off.
- A container according to claim 1 which is a bag such as a novelty bag, for example a toy bag.
- A container according to claim 1, which is a rigid container, such as a food box or the like.
- A container according to any preceding claim, which includes two or more parts which are hinged together.
- A container according to claim 4, wherein the container includes two portions hinged together to form the container, at least one portion including the liner, the other portion being substantially free of liner and illumination means.
- A container according to any preceding claim, which includes a plurality of transparent panels.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the panels are arranged in the outer surface of the container to form a desired pattern.
- A container according to claim 7, wherein the pattern is a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like.
- A container according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the panels are tinted various colours.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more transparent panel is removable from the container.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means may include one or more bulbs, preferably two or more.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element includes a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element is arranged on a handle portion of the bag, a side portion or a bottom portion, or an openable portion of the container.
- A container according to claim 15, wherein the switch is a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the container is opened or closed, or the sensor switch is pressure sensitive or light sensitive.
- A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the liner is transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the container when the switch element is in an on position; or
wherein the liner is opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the container when the illumination means is switched on.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0322918 | 2003-09-30 | ||
GB0322918A GB2406502A (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2003-09-30 | Illuminated bag |
GB0401545 | 2004-01-26 | ||
GB0401545A GB0401545D0 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2004-01-26 | Illuminating container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1520794A1 true EP1520794A1 (en) | 2005-04-06 |
Family
ID=34315451
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04255961A Withdrawn EP1520794A1 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2004-09-29 | Illuminating container |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1520794A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH296498A (en) * | 1951-12-26 | 1954-02-15 | Grognuz Willy | Handbag. |
FR2541425A1 (en) * | 1983-02-17 | 1984-08-24 | Vettese Jean | Luminous school bag |
US4926296A (en) * | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-15 | Blume Linda A | Illuminated carrying bag |
US6020823A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-02-01 | Decicco; Richard J. | Decorative packaging with special effects |
US6059423A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2000-05-09 | Knopick; Darlene J. | Decoratively illuminated carrying device |
US6568828B2 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2003-05-27 | Martin Rudoy | Illuminating packaging material |
-
2004
- 2004-09-29 EP EP04255961A patent/EP1520794A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH296498A (en) * | 1951-12-26 | 1954-02-15 | Grognuz Willy | Handbag. |
FR2541425A1 (en) * | 1983-02-17 | 1984-08-24 | Vettese Jean | Luminous school bag |
US4926296A (en) * | 1989-11-17 | 1990-05-15 | Blume Linda A | Illuminated carrying bag |
US6059423A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2000-05-09 | Knopick; Darlene J. | Decoratively illuminated carrying device |
US6020823A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-02-01 | Decicco; Richard J. | Decorative packaging with special effects |
US6568828B2 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2003-05-27 | Martin Rudoy | Illuminating packaging material |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
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AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL HR LT LV MK |
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AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20051005 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20070403 |