Illuminated cake decoration

A self-containing accessory providing illuminated decoration of a cake or like, comprising, in certain preferred versions, an externally applied decorative cover of eye-defining light-transmissive portions and including a module, secured to the underside of said cover, to provide flashing illumination by means of an electric light source, battery, and interconnecting circuitry contained therein; the module being positioned such as to locate the electric light source beneath or within said light-transmissive portions so as to give the visual appearance of winking eyes; a recess being within the cake to receive the module. Another embodiment carries circuitry beneath the cake with illumination being provided atop a probe-like extension inserted upward from beneath said cake. Another embodiment achieves illuminiation by use of phosphorescent devices. Yet another embodiment achieves illumination by filtering light through various light-transmissive materials.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to cake decorating accessories and, more 
particularly, to cake decorations of an illuminated characteristic, for 
decorating cakes and other food products. 
Ornamentation of various food products, such as cakes, confections, bread 
loaves, fruit cakes, and various other pastries is often carried out for 
the celebration of birthdays, holidays and various festive or similar 
occasions such as parties. And, as is well known, wedding cakes are 
sometimes very elaborately ornamented by various elaborate devices. 
Further, it has been proposed to provide various structures for holding 
candles atop cakes, as disclosed in McNeill U.S. Pat. No. 2,468,505. A 
decorative illuminating device intended to position light bulbs on a 
structure presented above a cake is disclosed in Propp U.S. Pat. No. 
1,707,539. Marchand U.S. Pat. No. 2,439,178 typifies an illuminated 
ornament of the type utilized for being placed atop a birthday cake or the 
like. Biertuempfel U.S. Pat. No. 1,847,687 discloses a cake base having 
various sockets for electric lights to be powered by household AC voltage. 
These typical prior art cake decorating accessories, including those 
providing electrical illumination, are characterized by structure which 
extend over or under a cake and which holds candles or light bulbs which 
project around or above the cake surface. Such devices are not compatible 
wth the kind of cake decoration where there are, applied to the surface of 
the cake or other pastry, decorations which are desirably present at the 
surface of the cake. Thus, it has not been known heretofore to provide 
illuminated cake decorating accessories in which the illumination is 
presented at the same level as the upper surface of the cake, so as to 
blend in with or be compatible with other decorations present on the 
surface of the cake, etc., nor to provide an effectively concealed, 
compact lighted decoration wherein the ligh sources, power and circuitry 
are hidden in an entirely unobvious manner. 
Of course, a more mundane, customary or usual manner of cake decoration 
involves use of candles. Yet, burning of candles as decoration provides a 
short duration effect; presents the inherent danger of fire as well as 
posing danger of burns from flame, melting and dripping wax; offers the 
usually-encountered difficulty in lighting the candles or keeping them 
burning at the same or desire time; results in uneven burning as well as 
presenting the unattractive, even repulsive appearance of melted wax and 
candle matter; and typically is used in conjuction with sugar based 
decorations which not only are not of good nutritional, healthy character, 
but are also fragile, thus easily and frequently broken before or after 
being placed on a cake or the like. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved 
illuminated decorations for cakes and other food products such as 
pastries, confections, loaves, fruit cakes, and the like, as well as 
various other edible products which can be ornamentally decorated. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an electrically 
illuminated decoration for a cake or other food product which presents 
illumination at substantially the level of the upper surface of the cake, 
etc. 
Further objects of the invention are to provide an electrically illuminated 
cake decorating accessory which is entirely self-contained, including its 
own long-lasting source of power for illumination; which is extremely 
compact, being of miniaturized construction; and which, when utilized for 
cake decorations, is entirely hidden and concealed in use, providing an 
illumination surface which is essentially flush with an ornament or 
decoration atop the cake, etc. 
Another object of the invention is the provision of such an illuminated 
cake decorating accessory which provides for use without causing 
disturbance of the surface of a cake, and without permitting icing, 
condiments, or other food products from interfering with or entering the 
illumination mechanism and circuitry therefore. 
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such an illuminated 
cake decorating accessory which provides an extremely eye-catching, 
attractive, visual effect for high-lighting and enhancing various cake 
decoration themes as well as complimenting other decorations and design 
aspects of cake decorations embodying or used in conjunction with the 
invention. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of such a cake 
decorating accessory which is battery powered, and which includes a 
magnetically responsive switching arrangement permitting selective 
switching on or off of the accessory, such as for convenience or as 
desired for effect, or to prolong battery life. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of such an illuminated 
cake decorating accessory which provides a wholly novel manner of 
decorating cakes, etc., by allowing the effective use of various 
characters, figures, and theme type decorations having illuminated 
features. 
Further objects of the invention include the provision of such a cake 
decorating accessory which is of a safe, inedible, non-toxic, hygienic 
character; which is not only reusable but easily cleaned; which is easily 
assembled and placed in use; which provides extremely quick, efficient 
cake decoration without the usual elaborate laborious and painstaking 
effort heretofore required; and which is very economically and easily 
manufactured, being thus amenable to low-cost production line economy. 
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out 
hereinbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With regard to the embodiments of the invention described hereinbelow, 
reference is made to Disclosure Document No. 093083 dated Aug. 12, 1980, 
continued preservation of which is requested. 
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, wherein is 
illustrated one of various embodiments of an illuminated cake decorating 
accessory, generally designated A, capable of depicting various stylized 
designs, characters, and thematic or ornamental shapes, such as Christmas 
trees, pumpkins, and other special occasion decorations and motifs which 
may be placed atop a cake, such as at 31, or other food products such as 
pastries, confections, loaves, fruit cakes, wedding cakes, theme cakes, or 
various other kinds of comestibles, which may include typical icing layer 
or otherwise surface 32. Therefore, cake 31, with icing layer 32, is 
merely representative of but one of various kinds of food products which 
may be capable of decoration. Said decoration may be such as for the 
purpose of celebrating holidays, birthdays, various other special or 
festive occasions such as parties, or simply for such as to enhance the 
mood in which the said food product is to be served. 
Accessory A is illustrated comprising a disc-shaped plate portion being 
referred to as cover plate 33, as said plate partially covers the surface 
or icing layer 32 of cake 31. Cover plate 33 includes figure 35 thereon, 
with said figure 35 being in the character of a "Raggedy Ann" doll, but as 
such, merely depicting but one of said various stylized designs, 
characters, and thematic or ornamental shapes mentioned hereinabove which 
may be present upon the surface of said cover plate 33. Located within 
character figure 35 of cover plate 33 are light-transmissive portions 37, 
37' for being illuminated from within or beneath by an electric light 
source. Said light-transmissive portions 37, 37' are shown in this example 
as being eye-defining, however, said light-transmissive portions may also 
define various other objects and anatomical features, etc., such as noses, 
mouths, balloons, and stars, etc. Accordingly, said light-tranmissive 
portions may also be of various quantities, sizes, and designs, including 
such as circles, ovals, stars, and alpha-numeric characters, etc. Such 
light-transmissive portions, as at 37, 37', being of transparent or 
translucent nature, may be of such as windows, lenses, color light 
filters, or may be in the form of apertures, etc. 
Although cover plate 33 is shown to be of generally circular feature, it is 
to be understood that said cover plates of various quantities, size, 
shapes and designs may be provided upon such as the surface 32 of cake 31 
without departing from the scope of the invention. 
FIG. 2 illustrates cake 31, wherein is formed recess 39 for receiving 
generally rectangular housing 41 with circuit module 43 being contained 
therein; circuit module 43 being secured to cover plate 33. Cover plate 33 
is of a certain discrete thickness with side wall 36 merging into radially 
extending flange 38, thus seating cover plate 33 upon icing layer 32 of 
cake 31. 
For utilization of the invention, cake 31 is first prepared by having 
formed therein recess 39, such as by cutting into and removing a generally 
cubical configured portion of said cake 31 with a knife, fork, or other 
like utensil, thereby providing cake 31 with recess 39 of sufficient 
dimension for receiving generally correspondingly configured housing 41. 
Module 43 is suitably attached to cover plate 33, thereupon said cover 
plate 33 is positioned upon icing layer or otherwise surface 32 of cake 
31; housing 41 receiving module 43. 
FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the same embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, 
wherein recess 39 of cake 31 is shown receiving housing 41, with said 
housing 41, in effect, constituting a receptacle with containing circuit 
module 43. Housing 41 is of certain discrete thickness with side wall 40 
merging into peripheral flange 45, thus to allow seating upon surface or 
icing layer 32 of cake 31. Circuit module 43 contains printed circuit 
board (PCB) 47 upon which is carried circuit 49 being connected by battery 
strap 63 to battery power source 52. 
Circuit module 43 includes electric light sources 46, 46' being located 
within or beneath light-transmissive portions 37, 37' of cover plate 33 
with upper surface 56 of said module 43 being detachably secured to the 
lower surface of said cover plate 33. The preferred method of said 
attachment being such as by double-faced adhesive layer 66 so as to 
reliably interengage circuit module 43 with cover plate 33, thus 
permitting said cover plate 33 to be positioned substantially at the same 
level as the upper surface or icing layer 32 of cake 31 while allowing 
simultaneous reception of circuit module 43 by housing 41. Said adhesive 
layer 66 may be pre-applied with a peel-back release coating to a cover 
plate, as at 33, such as at time of manufacture, or said adhesive layer 66 
may be of such as a separate entity to be applied, in total, at time of 
use. 
Therefore, upon removal of cover plate 33 from cake 31, circuit module 43 
is simultaneously removed from housing 41, and as such, said circuit 
module 43 may be readily detached from said cover plate 33 by pulling 
against adhesive layer 66, thus to facilitate the interchange, reuse, or 
cleansing of same or different cover plates 33, which may be provided as 
described hereinabove. Separately, housing 41 may be simply pulled from 
recess 39 of cake 31. 
Electric light sources 46, 46', of circuit 49, are shown being of such as a 
standard bi-pin or wire terminal base configuration being vertically 
positioned upon PCB 47 by such as solder means. In this example, electric 
light sources 46, 46' consist of light emitting diodes (LED's) protruding 
from within light-transmissive portions consisting of apertures 37, 37' of 
cover plate 33; said apertures 37, 37' being sufficiently large as to 
permit light from said light emitting diodes 46, 46' to emit through said 
aperture 37, 37' when said LED's 46, 46' are energized by said circuit 49 
enclosed within circuit module 43. Electric light sources 46, 46' are 
preferably intermittently energized so as to be caused to flash, thereupon 
presenting a very novel and striking impression to the celebrant or other 
observer of the food product upon which the invention has been placed. 
Electric light sources, such as at 46, 46', may be of various natures, 
including such as incandescent, fluorescent, gas discharge, liquid 
crystal, and solid state, etc. 
Circit 49, being carried upon PCB 47, is shown connected by battery strap 
63 to battery power source 52. Control of circuit 49 is achieved by such 
means as normally closed miniature magnetic reed switch 53 being connected 
in series circuit with battery 52; said switch 53 being mounted upon stud 
55 so as to extend from PCB 47 such as to position said switch 53 just 
beneath upper surface 56 of housing 57 of module 43 and thus beneath 
figure 35 of cover plate 33. Switch 53 may be caused to open by placement 
of such as permanent magnet 101 atop figure 35 over the region of said 
switch 53, thus to render circuit 49 inoperative, when such is desired. 
In lieu of miniature magnetic reed switch 53 are various other switch 
components of manual and sensory types which may be employed for 
controlling operation of circuit 49. Said manual switch may be located for 
being accessible by lifting cover plate 33 from cake 31, thus to allow 
control of said circuit 49. Sensory switches, including, but not limited 
to, such of a magnetic, optical, vibration, temperature, capacitance, and 
air flow sensing types, may be located at or below figure 35 of cover 
plate 33. Apertures, if required, to the said sensory switch, may be such 
as to extend from figure 35 of cover plate 33 downward through upper 
surface 56 of housing 57 of circuit module 43, thus to allow access of the 
desired sensory medium, such as light, airflow, etc., thereby causing 
actuation of said sensory switch; said switch being located upon such as 
PCB 47. 
Optionally, any switch, such as at 53, may be omitted from such as circuit 
49; control of said circuit 49 then being achieved by such means as the 
connection and disconnection of battery strap 63 with battery source 52. 
Housing 41 and cover plate 33 may be of molded synthetic resin material, as 
may be figure 35 thereon said cover plate 33. Accordingly, figure 35 may 
also be of such as cardboard, laminated paper, etc., or may be of painted, 
printed, or otherwise reproduced nature, but with all such materials and 
components constituting housing 41 and cover plate 33 being of durable, 
long-lasting, non-toxic, hygienic, and washable properties. Both housing 
41 and cover plate 33, being of a non-electronic nature and of washable 
synthetic resin materials, may be readily cleansed by common means, such 
as by simple household detergents and water, without potential for damage. 
Circuit module 43, containing electronic circuitry 49 and being of a 
partially exposed nature, may be readily cleansed by such as wiping with a 
damp cloth or similar means. 
In this regard, it is intended that food product decorative accessories of 
the invention, including housing 41 with circuit module 43 and same 
different cover plates 33, etc., be capable of reuse for many different 
occasions, thus to allow for the decoration of other cakes, pastries, and 
like decoratable food products. 
Among the numerous materials which may be employed in constructing the 
components of housingf 41 and cover plate 33 are various synthetic or so 
called molded plastic materials of a resilient nature, such as injection 
molded thermoplastics including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, 
polycarbonate, nylon, polychlorotrifluorethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, 
acrilo-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and various other polymers, copolymers, and 
terpolymers, etc. 
FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate, in more detailed manner, the embodiment 
of circuit module 43, wherein PCB 47 and battery 52 are supported by 
housing 57. Housing 57 defines a generally tubular enclosure 59 being of 
generally rectangular cross-section in which PCB 47 is positioned by such 
as horizontal ribs 60, 60', thus spacedly maintaining PCB 47 while 
permitting said PCB 47 to be axially inserted within tubular enclosure 59, 
thereby to position LED's 46, 46' within recesses 62, 62'. Battery strap 
connector 63 extends from PCB 47 for connection with battery 52; battery 
52 being clampingly secured by opposingly oriented L-shaped extensions 64, 
64' which extend from tubular housing 57 around the sides of said battery 
52. 
Circuit 49, including integrated circuit timer 50, is carried upon PCB 47 
with said circuit being of such design as to provide intermittent 
energization (flashing) of LED's 46, 46'. Said flashing of each of LED's 
46, 46' may be of an alternating, simultaneous, or random nature; however, 
the preferred mode of operation is that of being simultaneous. Optionally, 
LED's 46, 46' may be constantly energized with said energy being supplied 
at relatively fixed or variable intensities. 
FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, 
generally designated module 67, wherein said module is generally suitable 
for being received within a typical housing, as at 41, being inserted 
within a hollowed-out recess, as at 39 of cake 31, as shown in FIG. 2. 
Module 67 includes bracket 68 to which is mounted motor 69 which, by means 
of drive roller 71, rotates peripheral flange or rim 72 of a wheel 
identified in its entirety at 73. Wheel 73 includes light-transmissive 
center portion or disc 74 which may be of various color or color patterns 
for interposition between electric light source 76, in this example 
comprising an incandescent lamp, and corresponding light-transmissive 
portions 77, 77' being, in this example, light-transmissive lenses carried 
in horizontally disposed extension 78 of bracket 68 of module 67; bracket 
68 also providing a pivot for spindle 79 of wheel 73. Motor 69 and 
incandescent lamp 76 are provided power through a battery source, as at 
80, 80', carried beneath the lower surface of bracket 68 within suitable 
battery holder 81. It is to be understood that lenses 77, 77' of module 67 
are positioned such as to be located with such light-transmissive 
portions, as apertures 37, 37', of FIG. 35 of cover plate 33 described 
hereinabove and illustrated in FIG. 2. As wheel 73 rotates to bring the 
various color filtered portions of disc 74 between incandescent lamp 76 
and lenses 77, 77' of module 67, the so-called eye-defining apertures or 
other light-transmissive portions, such as those at 37, 37', may be 
illuminated by various different lighting effects to produce unusual 
optical effects such as alternate winking, alternate flashing, and other 
various color effects within said light-transmissive portion as at 37, 
37'. In this regard, various moving patterns, moire' patterns, light 
intensity changes, and even apparent movement, such as through the use of 
polarized or prismatic component materials of light-transmissive disc 74 
and light-transmissive portions, such as at 77, 77', can be realized 
within light-transmissive portions, such as apertures 37, 37' of cover 
plate 33 of FIG. 1. Rotation of wheel 73 occurs wholly within a space, as 
designated at 83, which is located beneath cover plate 33 and above 
surface 32 of cake 31 or other decoratable food product as illustrated in 
FIG. 2. 
It is further contemplated that rotation of wheel 73 may also cause 
generation of various audio effects. For this purpose, motor 69 may drive 
a disc, such as at 74, on which sound is phonetically recorded, such as by 
means of a grooved phonographic or magnetic recording medium. Such 
recording medium may be moved past a conventional pick-up head, such as of 
a magnetic type, which, when coupled to suitable electronic circuitry, may 
provide for such as the reproduction, amplification, and transduction of 
said recorded sound. Further, said circuitry may also include various 
sound producing integrated circuit components including such that of the 
type which are not presently available. 
FIG. 14 illustrates the provision of a further module designated 67', 
wherein is provided electric light source 84, again in the form of an 
incandescent lamp, with a relatively large light-transmissive portion 85 
comprising, in this example, a window of suitable transparent material; 
said window being in upper horizontally disposed extension 78' of bracket 
68'; extension 78' corresponding to extension 78 in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
Accordingly, it is to be understood that a relatively large 
light-transmissive portion, corresponding to window 85, may be utilized in 
lieu of the smaller eye-defining light-transmissive portions 37, 37' of 
figure 35 of cover plate 33 illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, figure 35 
upon cover plate 33 may include a scene or the like to be displayed in a 
light-transmissive aperture or window of considerable size. Thus, disc 74 
may have upon it various pictures, figures, or even such as a series of 
characters or scenes, etc. to be displayed sequentially through said 
relatively large light-transmissive portion provided in cover plate 33. 
Further, light-transmissive portion 85 of module 67' may also be of such as 
a 2-layer polarized graphic film composite, thus being a simple 2-step 
animation wherein each step, or graphic film layer, is of a different 
animated sequence and is light polarized in such a manner as to be of 
different light polarity. Said disc 74, being a light-transmissive disc of 
correspondingly different light filtering polarities, is positioned so as 
when rotated between a non-polar light source, such as incandescent lamp 
84, and light-transmissive portion 85, in this example comprising said 
2-step polarized animated graphic film composite, causes radiated light 
rays from said incandescent light source 84 to correspondingly alternate 
in polarity, thus to sequentially strike said graphic film composite 85 in 
same manner, thereupon sequentially illuminating each of said polarized 
graphic layers so as to provide a simple 2-step animation to be viewed 
through such as a relatively large light-transmissive aperture provided in 
a cover plate as at 33 of FIG. 1, herein described above. 
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrates another version, generally designated B, of the 
same general embodiment described and illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, 
wherein Figure 35 is shown suitably provided upon cover plate 33', 
however, said cover plate 33' is of a configuration conforming generally 
to the design of said figure 35 rather than being of the generally 
circular nature described hereinbefore and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
Said cover plate 33 is shown having side wall 86 terminating in 
peripherial flange 86' for being seated upon icing layer or otherwise 
surface 32 of cake 31. Formed within said cake 31, is recess 39 for 
receiving housing 41 having a peripherial flanged lip 45 seated upon same 
icing layer 32; circuit module 43 being secured to the under surface of 
cover plate 33' as by previously described double-faced adhesive tape, 
etc. 
FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate another version of the same general embodiment, 
generally designated B', wherein cover plate 33" being of a generally 
circular configuration is seated within upstanding boss 89 of base plate 
88 having formed therewithin rectangular well-like housing 41 for 
receiving a module, as at 43, being suspended, such as by double-faced 
adhesive tape or the like, from cover plate 33" upon which character 
figure 35 is suitably imprinted, overlaid, or otherwise provided thereon, 
such as by silk screening, etc. Embodiment B' provides an arrangement of 
components which are particularly easy to use as module 43 may remain 
secured to cover plate 33" which is then simply set within boss 89 of base 
plate 88 being seated upon surface or icing layer 32 of cake 31 or other 
food product when the invention is ready for use. Thus, cover plate 33", 
with detachably secured module 43, may be easily removed from cake 31 by 
simply lifting said cover plate 33" from base plate 88, whereupon base 
plate 88 may also be lifted from said cake 31 to allow for such as the 
cutting of portions of said cake 31 and the cleansing of said base plate 
88. 
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate yet another version of the embodiment, generally 
designated B", with various features of embodiments B and B' being 
combined therein. Cover plate 90 is shown having side wall 91 merging into 
peripherial flange 92 being seated upon base plate 93 within raised boss 
94; all conforming in a generally concentric manner to the shape of the 
design of FIG. 35. 
Embodiments B, B', and B" may incorporate a magnetic switching arrangement 
which may be utilized for selectively enabling or disabling the flashing 
LED operation of the circuitry, as at 49, of a module as at 43 of FIGS. 5 
and 6. 
FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a simplified embodiment of the cake decorating 
accessory, generally designated C, wherein cover plate 96, having 
downwardly extending side wall 97 merging into peripherial base flange 98, 
is seated upon icing layer 32 of cake 31. Provided beneath cover plate 96, 
as by previously described detachable adhesive securement, is plate-like 
fixture 97 upon which are located light radiating beads 99, 99'; said 
beads 99, 99' being, in this example, of a material of phosphorescent 
properties, thereby providing the doll-like figure 35 with what appear to 
be glowing eyes through eye-defining light-transmissive portions being in 
the form of apertures 37, 37' of cover plate 96. Such represents a passive 
illumination technique wherein said beads 99, 99' effectively capture 
ambient radiation, such as visible room light, thereupon not only becoming 
luminous, but continuing to luminesce for a period of time after the 
removal of the exciting radiating agent, thus said eyes appear to glow or 
sparkle, but require no direct source of electrical energy. Said light 
radiating beads may also be of a material of a reflective or simple 
luminous nature. 
Accordingly, embodiment C, as a single entity, is simply placed atop icing 
layer or surface 32 of such as cake 31, thus requiring no special 
preparation or modification, such as that of preparing a recess, as at 39 
illustrated in FIG. 20. 
FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate circuits 49, 49' respectively, which may be 
utilized for the construction of circuit modules such as at 43, 43' of 
FIGS. 7 and 28 respectively. 
Referring to FIG. 23, wherein circuit 49 includes integrated circuit time 
50 which is provided power from battery 52 through the normally closed 
contacts of miniature magnetic reed switch 53 which may be disabled by 
such as a simple bar magnet, as at 101, being placed atop figure 35 over 
the region of said switch 53. Diode D1 is shown connected in series 
circuit with integrated circuit timer 50, battery 52, and switch 53, thus 
protecting circuit 49 by providing current of only correct polarity 
thereto. Interconnected with circuit 49 in conventional fashion are timing 
control components capacitor C1 and resistor R1; similarly connected in 
series circuit are current limiting resistor R2 and LED's 46, 46' which, 
when enabled by switch 53, are intermittently energized by integrated 
circuit timer 50 so as to flash at a rate so determined by said timing 
components. 
Accordingly, circuit 49 may also utilize other sources of electric light in 
lieu of LED's 46, 46' shown; said electric light sources including such as 
incandescent lamps, etc., previously described hereinabove. 
Referring to FIG. 24, wherein is illustrated another version of circuit 49, 
generally designated 49', utilizing a magnetic Hall effect switch 53' in 
lieu of magnetic reed switch 53, thus permitting power to be made 
selectively available to integrated circuit timer 50 when a magnet, as at 
101, is placed atop figure 35 over a region of said switch 53'. 
Accordingly, a Hall effect latch may be utilized in lieu of Hall effect 
switch 53'; a desirable aspect of the latch being the avoidance of the 
necessity of maintaining magnet 101 in constant magnetic induction with 
said latch component in order to maintain the desired open or closed latch 
state. 
It is contemplated that various audio generating means may be incorporated 
into such as circuit 49'. Such audio generating means may consist, for 
example, of a miniature solid state audio tone generator with 
self-contained transducer of the type presently and commonly made 
available, such as that being a novelty type buzzer. Said tone generator 
may be connected in parallel circuit with current limiting resistor R2 and 
electric light source, such as LED's 46, 46', to operate an audio tone 
simultaneous with, and of the same duration as, that of the energized 
flash of said electric light source. Such audio generating means may also 
be of such as a single integrated circuit chip microcomputer with solid 
state miniature pizeo-electric transducer interconnected to a circuit, 
such as 49, via a driver transistor; said microcomputer chip may be 
programmed to provide such as melodious tones or other sound effects, etc. 
Accordingly, other sound, music, and speech type audio generating circuit 
means, such as those incorporating various integrated circuit components, 
including those of the Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuit types, may be 
utilized for the generation of audio effects. Further, said audio 
generating circuits may employ various sound producing components 
including such as those which are not presently available. All such audio 
effects may be generated musically in time with the flashing energization 
of the electric light source, as at 46, 46' of circuit 49'. 
FIGS. 25, 26, and 27 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, 
generally designated D. 
Referring to FIG. 25, wherein cover plate 103 is of a shape generally 
conforming to the character representation of the "Raggedy Ann" design of 
figure 35 as previously illustrated. Cover plate 103 is seated upon icing 
layer or other surface 32 of cake 31. figure 35 includes 
light-transmissive portions consisting, in this example, of apertures 37, 
37' within which are located electric light sources, such as LED's 46, 
46'. Such LED's 46, 46' being representative of the eyes of said "Raggedy 
Ann" figure 35. Accordingly, said electric light sources may also consist 
of such as incandescent lamps being located beneath said 
light-transmissive portions; said light-transmissive portions being of 
such as various color filter materials. 
Referring to FIG. 26, wherein cover plate 103 includes upstanding side wall 
104 merging into a terminating peripherial flange 105 for being seated 
upon surface 32 of cake 31. Inserted in an upward manner through the 
texture of said cake 31 is elongated extension member 106 having LED's 46, 
46' at the upper most end with said LED's 46, 46' being positioned within 
the eye-like apertures 37, 37' formed within cover plate 103; securement 
of said LED's 46, 46' being aided by such means as a series of closely 
spaced fins or projections 106' being placed near the LED carrying end of 
said extension member 106. Leads 110, 110' provide connection of member 
106 to circuit 112, which may be one of the general configurations shown 
in FIGS. 23 and 24, with said circuit 112 being positioned upon PCB's 113, 
113'; PCB 113' being connected to master PCB 113 by such means as a 
printed circuit edge board connector as at 114. Optionally, circuit 112 
may be carried upon a single printed circuit board. Secured to the lower 
surface of PCB 113 is battery holder 120 including battery power source, 
as at 121, for providing power to circuit 112 when enabled by switch 122; 
said switch 122 being located proximate one edge of base plate 116 for 
actuation by the user. 
Referring to FIG. 27, wherein extension member 106 is shown comprising two 
tubular portions 108, 108' interconnected by web 109 for maintaining 
structural integrity; said tubular portions 108, 108' defining cylindrical 
enclosures 111, 111' for receiving leads 110, 110' of LED's 46, 46'. 
Accordingly, such extension members may also be of a singular nature 
comprising only one electric light source, as at 46, and one tubular 
portion, as at 108. Such an embodiment of the invention may utilize one or 
more relatively smaller cover plates, each said cover plate containing a 
light-transmissive portion being illuminated therebeneath by an electric 
light source, as at 46, from one such singular extension member. Circuit 
112 may be of such means as to illuminate multiple such cover plates in 
various sequential, random, and multiple fashions. 
PCB 113 is shown being spacedly maintained and detachably secured by 
opposing horizontal recesses 115, 115' of brackets 114, 114' being affixed 
to the under surface of base plate 116, thus to allow the removal of said 
PCB 113 from said brackets 114, 114' to permit such as cleansing of said 
base plate 116, when such is desired. Base plate 116 may be maintained off 
table surface 117, etc. by suitable pedestal means, as at 118. 
It is to be understood that being connected by leads 110, 110' with circuit 
112, extension member 106 is not fixedly connected to base plate 116 or 
PCB 113, etc., thus extension member 106 is freely vertically positionable 
to allow for the placement of LED's 46, 46' at generally the same level or 
slightly above that of figure 35 upon cover plate 103 of cake 31. 
Accordingly, decoratable food product or cake 31 is placed upon base plate 
116, thereupon extension member 106 is pressed upwardly through the porous 
texture of cake 31 until LED's 46, 46' extend above icing layer or surface 
32 in such a manner as to allow LED's 46, 46' to extend upward from within 
apertures 37, 37' of figure 35 as illustrated. Base plate 116 may include 
at least one aperture, as at 134 of FIG. 26, of predetermined location so 
as to serve for such as a template or guide providing for the proper 
alignment of such as extension member 106 within or below such as 
apertures 37, 37', while providing for the desired spacial relationship of 
cover plate 103 to said cake 31. 
Advantages of embodiment D include that of cake 31 or other decoratable 
food product requiring no special preparation, such as being hollowed-out 
to define a recess, as at 39, for receiving a circuit module, as at 43 of 
FIG. 3, rather being simply placed upon base plate 116 with probe-like 
extension member 106 being reliably retained within the soft sponge-like 
texture of said cake 31 by such as ribs 106'. Further, prior to serving 
cake 31, switch 122 is conveniently switched on to provide flashing 
illumination of LED's 46, 46' as described hereinbefore. Further, upon 
removal of cover plate 103 from cake 31, icing layer or surface 32 is 
substantially undamaged and no blemish, such as that resulting from the 
previously described hollowed-out recess, as at 39 of FIG. 3, is present 
to mar appearance of said cake 31. Further yet, PCB's 113, 113' may 
optionally carry various interchangeable sound producing integrated 
circuit components, including such as those which are not presently 
available which produce pleasant melodies, voices, and other sounds 
appropriate to the theme of the cake and the occasion for which the cake 
is to be served. 
FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate another version, generally designated 43', of 
the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 wherein circuit means 49 are shown 
carried upon PCB 47' being seated upon posts 124 extending in an upward 
direction from base plate 125. LED's 46, 46' are shown protruding from 
within aperture 141, 141' of cover 128. Flanged rib 127 perimetrically 
extends base plate 125 upon which is seated cover 128, thus forming a 
box-like housing for enclosing and containing PCB 47'. Magnetic sheet 
material 131 is adhesively secured as by a layer of adhesive or 
double-faced adhesive tape 130 to the lower surface of said base plate 
125; said layer of magnetic sheet material 131 being of sufficient 
magnetic strength so as to reliably maintain ferrous metal encased battery 
52 in position beneath base plate 125 without resort to brackets, such as 
those of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10. Module 43' may 
be reliably secured to a cover plate, such as at 33" of FIG. 18, by a 
double-faced adhesive layer or the like being interpositioned between the 
upper surface of cover 128 of said module 43' and the lower surface of 
said cover plate, as at 33". 
Cover 128 and base plate 125 may be formed, as by injection molding, of 
suitable synthetic resin material as previously identified hereinabove. 
FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate yet another version of the embodiment of FIGS. 
3, 4, 5, and 6, generally designated module 43", which may be detachably 
secured, such as by a double-faced adhesive layer 66 or like material, to 
a cover plate, as at 33" of FIG. 18. 
Ferrous metal encased battery 52 is shown magnetically adhered to sheet 
magnet 131 being secured, by such as adhesive means, to the lower surface 
of base plate 125. Cover 128, being positioned by such as ribs 127, is 
seated upon the upper surface of base plate 125, thereby substantially 
enclosing and containing circuit means 49" carried upon PCB 47". Circuit 
49", being a modified version of circuit 49, utilizes a single tubular 
microminiature incandescent lamp 84' of horizontally opposing twin leads 
as a source of electric light in lieu of such as LED's 46, 46'. 
Incandescent lamp 84' is shown positioned beneath light-transmissive 
portions, consisting in this example of apertures 141, 141' of cover 128, 
so as to radiate light upwards through said light-transmissive portions; 
said light-transmissive portions, being of transparent or translucent 
nature, may be of such as windows, lenses, or may be in the form of such 
as said apertures 141, 141'. Accordingly, a cover, such as at 128, may be 
formed or molded of suitable synthetic resin material of 
light-transmissive properties, thus being light-transmissive in itself and 
therefore not requiring such as apertures 141, 141' from which to emit 
said radiated light from said electric lamp 84'. 
Optionally, lamp 84' may incorporate a light baffel and reflector to guide 
said radiated light in the desired direction and pattern. 
Overlying apertures 141, 141' is illustrated light-transmissive material 
138 consisting, in this example, of a layer of single faced adhesive 
coated translucent projection tape of a pre-selected color and light 
filtering nature. Said adhesively coated color filter layer 138 may be 
applied, as shown, so as to overlay light-transmissive portions, 
consisting in this example of apertures 141, 141', thus adhering to the 
upper surface of cover 128 of said module 43". Conversely, said color 
filter layer 138 may also be applied, in similar manner, to the lower 
surface of a cover plate, as at 33" of FIG. 18, but in any such 
utilization, said light-transmissive material 138 is to be located so as 
to be interpositioned between the light-transmissive portion, as at 37, 
37', of a cover plate, such as at 33" of FIG. 18, and the electric light 
source, such as incandescent lamp 84', so as to filter radiated light from 
said incandescent lamp 84' thereby providing for the color illumination of 
said light-transmissive portion of said cover plate when viewed from above 
said cover plate; said cover plate, as at 33", being suitably attached to 
module 43". Suitable means of said attachment may be provided by such as 
double-faced adhesive layer 66 being applied upon upper surface of cover 
128 so as to be compatibly positioned with respect to color filter 
material layer 138. 
Color selectable filter material 138, being of an interchangeable and 
generally reuseable nature, combined with a module, as at 43", and a 
suitable cover plate containing light-transmissive portions, as at 33" of 
FIG. 18, allow for the invention to provide illumination of various 
colors, such as red flashing illumination of said light-transmissive 
portions for Christmas decorations, etc. green flashing illumination of 
said light-transmissive portions for St. Patrick's Day decorations, etc., 
or even for such as the color coordinating of said illuminated flashing 
light-transmissive portions with such as the color of the typical icing 
layer, as at 32 of a cake, as at 31 of FIG. 2. Such a visual effect could 
also be achieved through the use of various color filtered incandescent 
lamps, as at 84', or by the utilization of various filter or lens 
materials of select color being placed atop, formed within, or inserted 
into apertures such as at 37, 37' of a cover plate, such as at 33" of FIG. 
18. Light-transmissive material 138 may also be of variable 
light-transmissive properties so as to provide for such as various 
designs, patterns, and alpha-numeric characters, etc. to be illuminatedly 
defined within said light-transmissive portions, as at 37, 37', of a cover 
plate, as at 33" of FIG. 18. 
In view of the foregoing, it is seen that the several objects of the 
invention are attained with other advantageous results also being 
achieved. 
Although the foregoing includes a description of the best mode of the 
embodiments envisioned for carrying out the intent of the invention, 
various modifications and combinations of the constructions and 
arrangements of the components described hereinabove and illustrated are 
contemplated without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 
Therefore, all matter claimed in the foregoing descriptions and shown in 
the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative rather than 
limiting.