GB2082898A

GB2082898A - Bags and containers with interior lamps

Info

Publication number: GB2082898A
Application number: GB8029160A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BEARDMORE BERYL; SMART JOHN VICTOR
Current assignee: BEARDMORE BERYL; SMART JOHN VICTOR
Priority date: 1980-09-09
Filing date: 1980-09-09
Publication date: 1982-03-17

Abstract

A handbag has a lamp (24) disposed in its interior. A switch (22) in the body of the bag is operative so that when the bag is closed the lamp (24) is switched off but when the bag is opened the lamp is automatically switched on so as to illuminate the interior (26) of the bag. The switch (22) illustrated is a reed relay which, when the bag is closed, is held in an open state by the presence of a permanent magnet (30) contained in the flap (14) of the bag. The relay closes when the magnet (30) is moved away from the relay upon the bag being opened. Possible alternative switches can be mechanical or electronic. A light sensing device can be incorporated into the bag to prevent switching on of the lamp when the ambient light is above a predetermined level. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in bags and containers The present invention relates to bags and in particular to ladies handbags.

A problem with ladies handbags is that one often wishes to find an article carried in the bag when the ambient lighting conditions are too dark to enable the contents to be visible, e.g. in darkened cinemas or discos. The problem is often exacerbated by the large number of items carried in such bags from which the desired item is to be distinguished and selected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to this problem.

In accordance with the present invention a handbag is provided with a light source which, when the bag is in a closed state is in a normally off condition, but which is arranged to be automatically activated so as to illuminate at least a portion of the interior of the bag when the latter is in an open state.

Advantageously, a device is included which detects the ambient light condition and prevents the light source from being energised in the event that the ambient light is above a predetermined level. This can, for example, be used to prevent the light source from being energised if the bag is opened under daylight conditions or in a well lit public bar when the extra illumination provided by the light source would not be needed. This would help to conserve power supplies.

A power supply, such as a battery, is housed within the bag itself, preferably in a concealed pocket separated from the normal contents of the bag.

The opening of the bag is detected by means of a switching device which may be purely mechanical, electromechanical or purely electronic. For example, the bag may incorporate a reed relay and a controlling magnet which is normally disposed close to the relay so as to maintain the relay in an actuated state which holds the light source de-energized. Movement of a closure member of the bag to open the latter displaces the magnet to a position where the relay is de-energised and a lamp circuit is closed to activate the light source. Return of the closure member to its original position switches off the light source again. - The light source can be of any suitable type of electricaily activated device, such as a bulb, lamp or tube.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a ladies handbag fitted with one embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a ladies handbag fitted with a second embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention.

The handbag in Fig. 1 is formed with a front wall 10, a rear wall 12 and a closure flap 14 formed from a single length of multi-layer material having, for example, an outer plastics or leather layer 1 6 and an inner facing layer 1 8 of finishing fabric such as woven polyester. The sides of the bag are formed by flexible side panels 20 which partially collapse when the bag is closed. In the closed position the flap 14 lies outwardly adjacent and parallel to the front wall 10 The front wall contains a reed relay 22 positioned between the outer and inner layers 16, 18. The flap 14 carries a lamp 24 positioned to illuminate the interior 26 of the bag when activated. Obviously the lamp could equally well be positioned on other walls of the bag such as the front or rear wall.Located in a false bottom of the bag is a power pack 28 in the form of a battery, or pack of batteries. Again the positioning of the power pack is optional and depends upon the particular shape of a given bag.

The relay, lamp and power supply are interconnected so as to energise the lamp when the relay is not activated and to de-energise the lamp when the relay is activated. The closure flap of the bag carries a permanent magnet 30 positioned so that when the flap is in its normal closed position the field of the magnet is sufficient to activate the relay and keep the lamp deenergised. However, when the flap is moved to an open position corresponding for example to Fig. 1, then the field of the magnet is insufficient to activate the relay and the relay becomes deactivated to energise the lamp circuit.

Fig. 2 shows the same bag but fitted with a mechanical switch 32 which performs exactly the same function as the reed relay of the Fig. 1 embodiment. The switch is operated by the engagement therewith of the closure flap 1 4 in the closed position and released by the flap when the bag is opened.

If desired, a device (not shown) can be included which is adapted to detect the ambient light level and to override the lamp control to maintain the lamp in an off condition in the event that the bag is opened in light levels above a certain predetermined level.

1. A handbag having a light source housed therewithin which, when the bag is in a closed state is in a normally off condition, but which is arranged to be automatically activated so as to illuminate at least a portion of the interior of the bag when the latter is in an open state.

2. A handbag as claimed in claim 1 including a power supply for the light source housed within the bag.

3. A handbag as claimed in claim 2 wherein the power supply is housed in a concealed pocket so as to be separated from the normal contents which may be housed within the bag.

4. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the opening of the bag is detected by means of a switching device.

5. A handbag as claimed in claim 4 wherein the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in bags and containers The present invention relates to bags and in particular to ladies handbags. A problem with ladies handbags is that one often wishes to find an article carried in the bag when the ambient lighting conditions are too dark to enable the contents to be visible, e.g. in darkened cinemas or discos. The problem is often exacerbated by the large number of items carried in such bags from which the desired item is to be distinguished and selected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to this problem. In accordance with the present invention a handbag is provided with a light source which, when the bag is in a closed state is in a normally off condition, but which is arranged to be automatically activated so as to illuminate at least a portion of the interior of the bag when the latter is in an open state. Advantageously, a device is included which detects the ambient light condition and prevents the light source from being energised in the event that the ambient light is above a predetermined level. This can, for example, be used to prevent the light source from being energised if the bag is opened under daylight conditions or in a well lit public bar when the extra illumination provided by the light source would not be needed. This would help to conserve power supplies. A power supply, such as a battery, is housed within the bag itself, preferably in a concealed pocket separated from the normal contents of the bag. The opening of the bag is detected by means of a switching device which may be purely mechanical, electromechanical or purely electronic. For example, the bag may incorporate a reed relay and a controlling magnet which is normally disposed close to the relay so as to maintain the relay in an actuated state which holds the light source de-energized. Movement of a closure member of the bag to open the latter displaces the magnet to a position where the relay is de-energised and a lamp circuit is closed to activate the light source. Return of the closure member to its original position switches off the light source again. - The light source can be of any suitable type of electricaily activated device, such as a bulb, lamp or tube. The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a ladies handbag fitted with one embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a ladies handbag fitted with a second embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention. The handbag in Fig. 1 is formed with a front wall 10, a rear wall 12 and a closure flap 14 formed from a single length of multi-layer material having, for example, an outer plastics or leather layer 1 6 and an inner facing layer 1 8 of finishing fabric such as woven polyester. The sides of the bag are formed by flexible side panels 20 which partially collapse when the bag is closed. In the closed position the flap 14 lies outwardly adjacent and parallel to the front wall 10 The front wall contains a reed relay 22 positioned between the outer and inner layers 16, 18. The flap 14 carries a lamp 24 positioned to illuminate the interior 26 of the bag when activated. Obviously the lamp could equally well be positioned on other walls of the bag such as the front or rear wall.Located in a false bottom of the bag is a power pack 28 in the form of a battery, or pack of batteries. Again the positioning of the power pack is optional and depends upon the particular shape of a given bag. The relay, lamp and power supply are interconnected so as to energise the lamp when the relay is not activated and to de-energise the lamp when the relay is activated. The closure flap of the bag carries a permanent magnet 30 positioned so that when the flap is in its normal closed position the field of the magnet is sufficient to activate the relay and keep the lamp deenergised. However, when the flap is moved to an open position corresponding for example to Fig. 1, then the field of the magnet is insufficient to activate the relay and the relay becomes deactivated to energise the lamp circuit. Fig. 2 shows the same bag but fitted with a mechanical switch 32 which performs exactly the same function as the reed relay of the Fig. 1 embodiment. The switch is operated by the engagement therewith of the closure flap 1 4 in the closed position and released by the flap when the bag is opened. If desired, a device (not shown) can be included which is adapted to detect the ambient light level and to override the lamp control to maintain the lamp in an off condition in the event that the bag is opened in light levels above a certain predetermined level. CLAIMS

5. A handbag as claimed in claim 4 wherein the switching device is of a mechanically operating type.

6. A handbag as claimed in claim 4 wherein the switching device is of an electromechanically operating type.

7. A handbag as claimed in claim 4 wherein the switching device is of an electronically operating type.

8. A handbag as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switching device comprises a reed relay and a magnet which is arranged to be disposed normally close to the relay so as to maintain the relay in an actuated state which holds the light source deenergised but which, upon opening of the bag, is arranged to be displaced to a position where the relay is de-energised and a lamp circuit is closed to activate the light source.

9. A handbag as claimed in claim 8 wherein the reed relay is contained in or on a front wall of the handbag and the magnet is carried in or on a closure flap of the handbag which overlies said front wall when the bag is in its closed state.

10. A handbag as claimed in claim 5 wherein the switch is contained in or on a front wall of the handbag and is adapted to be mechanically actuated by a closure flap of the handbag, or a member carried by the latter flap, so as normally to hold the light source de-energised when said flap overlies said front wall but which, upon opening of the bag, is arranged to be released and to thereby close a lamp circuit to activate the light source.

11. A handbag as claimed in any previous claim in which the light source is mounted in the region where the closure flap of the bag is hinged to the body of the bag.

12. A handbag as claimed in any previous claim, including a device which detects the ambient light condition externally of the bag and prevents the light source from being energised in the event that the ambient light is above a predetermined level.

1 3. A handbag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.