BOTTLE LIGHTING APPARATUS

Abstract

A lighting apparatus used within a bottle opening, the apparatus including a portion having an outer circumference interference fit into the bottle opening and allowing flow of a liquid from the bottle. A control and power mechanism is included and operably connected to a lighting element of a variety of shapes located within the bottle and controllable by a user to selectively activate the lighting element. The portion fit into the bottle opening may include a cylindrical sidewall and centrally located button including a toggle switch forming the control and power mechanism retained and distanced from the sidewall by at least two radial extensions wherein spaces located between the radial extensions form passages for flow of the fluid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to novelty lighting effects within containers typically storing liquids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bottle lighting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Within the beverage art, there exists prior attempts at providing lighting to a beverage using structures which simulate ice cubes. Such structures typically include light emitting diodes (LEDs), a battery, and a switch all housed together within a square plastic cube. The cube mimics ice in shape and form and is intended for insertion within a fluid such as a mixed alcoholic drink contained within a cup or glassware. The switch allows a user to control the LEDs and thus provide a resultant lighting effect when the cube is floated or otherwise rests within the fluid. The cube is typically sealed in a manner to preclude the fluid from entering the interior of the cube thereby avoiding any damage to the LEDs, battery, or switch. Such cubes are generally small enough to fit within a cup or glassware, but large enough to avoid becoming a choking hazard.

In a manner consistent with the above-mentioned prior art cube devices, there are also lighted novelty items for use in conjunction with beverages including LED lighted straws and LED lighted stirring devices, the latter commonly referred to as swizzle sticks. Such lighted straws and swizzle sticks are often used to render a beverage such as an alcoholic cocktail more fun and exciting.

Oftentimes, these prior art devices are provided with non-replaceable, non-rechargeable sealed batteries. As such, these devices are intended as single-use novelty products that are not easily recycled and therefore end their useful life in a landfill.

It is intended that the present invention provide a novelty lighting effect without the undesirable effects of the prior art devices.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a lighting apparatus for use within a bottle having an opening, the apparatus having: a portion including an outer circumference suitable for an interference fit into the opening of the bottle, the portion allowing flow of a liquid from the bottle; a control and power mechanism housed with the portion; a lighting element operationally connected to the mechanism; and wherein the mechanism is controllable by a user to selectively activate the lighting element.

The invention further provides that the portion including an outer circumference suitable for an interference fit into the opening of the bottle may further include a button within which the mechanism is located, the mechanism including a toggle switch.

The invention further provides that the portion including an outer circumference suitable for an interference fit may further include a cylindrical sidewall extending from the opening of the bottle towards the interior area, the button being centrally located within the sidewall.

The invention further provides that the button may be retained and distanced from the sidewall by at least two radial extensions.

The invention further provides that the radial extensions may be equidistantly fixed from one another between the sidewall and a circumferential edge of the button. Optimally for structural integrity, there may be four radial extensions provided wherein spaces located between the radial extensions form passages for flow of the fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals refer to identical elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown within a typical beverage bottle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a top view of the bottle lighting apparatus as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is schematic of another bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a partial top view of the bottle lighting apparatus as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 as taken across line 4-4; and

FIGS. 5A through 5F are variants of the bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment shown varying by lighting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention forms a bottle lighting apparatus which, when installed within a container, provides novelty lighting effects from within such container. The given container is typically a glass or plastic structure for storing liquids that serve as beverages for a user. Moreover, the glass or plastic structure in which the bottle lighting apparatus is used is preferably clear or opaque such that a lighting element of the bottle lighting apparatus projects light through the glass or plastic structure forming the container. In this manner, a lighting effect is visible through the exterior surfaces of the container.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a schematic of a bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment 10 of the present invention shown within a typical beverage bottle 15 that holds a fluid 14 therein. As suggested above, the bottle 15 itself may be any type of relatively clear or opaque container formed from glass or plastic in a manner well known in the container art. As such, details of the bottle 15 may be varied in terms of shape and material without straying from the intended scope of the present invention.

Indeed, it should be readily understood that any container may be used as the bottle 15 so long as the opening of container concurs with the dimensions of the bottle lighting apparatus. Likewise, any type of fluid 14 and bottle 15 may be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, the fluid may be vodka and the bottle may be a glass container typical of the type sold with vodka therein. Any variety of bottles and fluids may therefore be used with the inventive apparatus without straying from the intended scope of the invention.

As may be seen from FIG. 1 and with additional reference to FIG. 2, the bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment 10 includes several components that serve to occupy the opening and interior of the bottle 15. These constituent components that form the inventive apparatus include a cap 16 having a lip 11, a control mechanism 12, and a lighting element 13.

The lip 11 provides a manner of maintain fluid flow through an aperture 17 in the cap 16. The lip 11 may be fixed in place such that a spout is formed or may, alternatively, be hinged such that the aperture 17 may be closed by mechanically snapping shut the lip 11 to thereby close the aperture 17 and prevent fluid flow. The spout formed by the lip 11 facilitates easy pouring of the liquid by a user. Although such hinged mechanism for alternatively mechanically snapping shut the lip 11 is not shown, such details are well understood in the mechanical art related to snap-fit bottle lids. As such, these details are not discussed further herein.

The control mechanism 12 includes a switch and visible cues 12a indicating OFF/ON and fast (F) or slow (S) which correlate to the lighting element 13 activation, deactivation, and flashing speed. The lighting element 13 is connected to the cap 16 and thereby controlled by the control mechanism 12. Though not shown, the cap 16 also includes a power supply in the form of a battery (e.g., button type lithium battery or the like) and microelectronics (e.g., digital electronics) capable of electrically driving the lighting element 13. The lighting element 13 itself may be formed by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

It should be readily apparent that the LEDs, battery, and microelectronics are all suitably contained and sealed within the bottle lighting apparatus in such a manner to preclude problematic contact with the fluid 14 held with the bottle 15. Though not shown, the cap 16 includes a battery compartment with a sealed door such that a battery may be easily replaced by a user of the inventive apparatus. While such details related to a sealable battery compartment are not shown, it should be understood that any known manner of providing a sealed battery compartment including rubberized gaskets, screws, snap-fit plastic barbs, or any suitable mechanisms may be used within the cap 16 without straying from the intended scope of the invention.

The cap 16 may be fabricated from plastic in any known manner such as, but not limited to, injection molding or extrusion to include an outer dimension selected in accordance with the opening in the intended bottle to be used. Typically, a 2 mm opening exists in a typical liquor bottle whereby the cap 16 would be sized with an outer circumference slightly less than 2 mm. However, the cap 16 may be fabricated having a variety of circumferences suitable for a variety of intended bottles with different sized opening. In lieu of fabricating caps of entirely different sizes, the cap 16 may alternatively be beveled on its circumferential edge to form an inherently variable outer circumference with sloping circumferential sidewalls to create a “one size fits all” type of cap appropriate for bottle openings in a fixed range of opening sizes (e.g., 2 mm to 3 mm). Likewise, the outer circumference of the cap 16 may be rubberized or otherwise formed of a malleable material to readily allow for an interference fit between the cap 16 and the opening of the given bottle.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated another bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment 20 of the present invention. In this second embodiment 20, a bottle 15 retaining a fluid 14 is again shown, though the bottle lighting apparatus shown is configured to include a cap 21 that is connected to a substantially cylindrical sidewall 22. The sidewall 22 is sized for an interference fit within the opening of the bottle 15. Because the sidewall 22 is intended to be fabricated from plastic or otherwise malleable material, it should be understood that the sidewall 22 inherently flexes to fit within the opening of the bottle 15. Thus, the bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment 20 is suitable for bottles having a range of opening sizes. The cap 21 in accordance with the second embodiment is merely a cover that may be removeable in any manner such as, but not limited to, screw-off, flip-top, or the like. Such mechanical details are not shown or described as they are well understood in the mechanical art related to bottle closures.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic of a partial top view of the bottle lighting apparatus as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 as taken across line 4-4. Here, it is shown that the cap 21 is connected to a centrally located button 25 via radial extensions 23. While four radial extensions 23 are shown, it should be understood that at least two radial extensions are needed for structural integrity of the bottle lighting apparatus as a whole while any number of radial extensions may be possible. The limiting factor in determining how many radial extensions are provided is based upon the fact that the spaces between the radial extensions allow for flow of the fluid therethrough. Thus, four radial extensions 23 equidistantly spaced apart as shown provide the maximum structural integrity to the apparatus while simultaneously providing the maximum space (realized as four distinct quadrants of openings) through which fluid may therefore flow.

Similar to the cap 16 described above with regard to the first embodiment, the centrally located button 25 of the second embodiment includes a power supply in the form of a battery (e.g., button type lithium battery or the like) and microelectronics (e.g., digital electronics) capable of electrically driving the lighting element 24. Likewise, the lighting element 24 itself may be formed by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, in this second embodiment the button 25 acts like a toggle switch such that when the button 25 is pressed, the lighting element 24 is toggled on or off. It should be understood that this toggle feature may also interact with the microelectronics whereby multiple toggling from on to off may include intervening modes (e.g., steady state, slow flashing, fast flashing, random flashing) may be possible between the on and off state of the lighting element 24. Such control electronics are well understood in the electronics art and will not be discussed in detail herein.

During use of the present invention in accordance with either the first or second embodiments, it should be understood that the bottle lighting apparatus is fully retained within the bottle. Moreover, the lighting element is completely held within the bottle without any ability to inadvertently slip from or otherwise be removed from within the bottle. Thus, the lighting element is safely and securely retained within the bottle. This advantageously precludes the lighting element from being placed within a drinking glass thereby eliminating any opportunity for LEDs or any components to become a choking hazard.

Referring now to FIG. 5A through 5F, there are shown several possible configurations of lighting element variants of the bottle lighting apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment. Here, the lighting elements 25 through 30 include a glowing orb 25, light stick 26, star 27, heart 28, holiday tree 29, and stringed lights 30 though the variations for novelty lighting effects in accordance with the present invention may accommodate any particular shape, size, or presentation using LEDs.

A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus for use within a bottle having an opening, said apparatus comprising: wherein said mechanism is controllable by a user to selectively activate said lighting element.

a portion including an outer circumference suitable for an interference fit into said opening of said bottle, said portion allowing flow of a liquid from said bottle;

a control and power mechanism housed with said portion;

a lighting element operationally connected to said mechanism; and

2. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portion includes a cap having a sealable aperture to preclude leakage of said fluid from said bottle.

3. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lighting element extends into an interior area of said bottle normally occupied by said fluid.

4. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cap includes a spout for facilitating flow of said fluid from said bottle.

5. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion further includes a button within which said mechanism is located, said mechanism including a toggle switch.

6. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said portion includes a cylindrical sidewall extending from said opening of said bottle towards said interior area, said button being centrally located within said sidewall.

7. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said button is retained and distanced from said sidewall by at least two radial extensions.

8. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each one of said radial extensions are equidistantly fixed from one another between said sidewall and a circumferential edge of said button.

9. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein spaces located between said radial extensions form passages for flow of said fluid.

10. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein exactly four of said radial extensions are provided.

11. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said radial extensions are formed of a malleable material.

12. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said radial extensions are formed from plastic.

13. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portion is formed of a malleable material.

14. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said portion is formed from plastic.

15. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lighting element includes one or more light emitting diode.

16. The lighting apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said lighting element forms a shape selected from a group consisting of an orb, a light stick, a star, a heart, a holiday tree, and a stringed light.