Abstract:
The present invention relates to food/drink containers combined with audio and video capabilities for inducing eating habits as well as for recreational purposes. According to the present invention, there is provided, a food/drink container including: a closure for closing the container; and an audio unit for playing music, which audio unit is responsive to opening the container, said audio unit module including a speaker.

Description:
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/485,731, filed on Feb. 4, 2004 which is the national stage of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/IL02/00615, having an international filing date of Jul. 25, 2002 and which PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/IL02/00615 claims priority from Israeli Patent Application Ser. No. 144749 filed Aug. 6, 2001, each of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of food/drink containers and multimedia systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination of a food/drink container with a multimedia system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Entertainment methods are widely used for promoting sales of products, especially to promote children food/drink products. These entertainment methods include adding toys and games to some products, getting the user to participate the user in collecting-games or lottery-games and many other methods. 
     The present invention provides the user an immediate entertainment source while he consumes the product. The present invention provides a container with a combination of a multimedia module with a product, this multimedia module designed to be operate while the content of the container is consumed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to food/drink containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to food/drink containers combined with audio and video capabilities for inducing eating habits as well as for recreational purposes. 
     Hereinafter the term “multimedia” shall include any sound, audio, video, music and the like. 
     Hereinafter the term “multimedia module” shall include any multimedia system and/or equipment capable of producing sound, audio, video, music and the like. 
     According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a food/drink container comprising: (a) a closure for closing the container, and (b) a multimedia module responsive to opening the container, the multimedia module including: a speaker, and a projecting unit for projecting an image or a movie viewable from the outside the container. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention the food/drink container further includes a personal viewer for readily facilitating viewing the image or movie by a single user. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention the food/drink container further including an IR port for receiving commands from a wireless remote control. 
     According yet further embodiments of the present invention the food/drink container further including a screen for displaying the image or movie. 
     According to still further embodiments of the present invention the food/drink container further including a cellular module, the cellular module including: (a) a microphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module, and (b) an earphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the container further including a sensor responsive to the closure being partially or totally opened. 
     According to further teachings of the present invention there is provided, a food/drink container including: (a) a closure for closing the container, and (b) a radio responsive to opening the container, the radio including a speaker for facilitating output of sound. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an earphone jack for readily accommodating an earphone plug, thereby readily facilitating a user to use earphones with the radio. 
     According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an IR port for receiving commands from a wireless remote control. 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a cellular module, the cellular module including: (a) a microphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module, and (b) an earphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a sensor responsive to the closure being partially or totally opened. 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the sensor is a sensor sensitive to light such that the sensor is responsive to light entering the container subsequently to the closure being partially or totally removed. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an electrical circuit connected to a power source, such that the power source provides power to a sensor responsive to the closure being opened. 
     According to further teachings of the present invention there is provided, a food/drink container including: (a) a semi flexible floor (b) a closure for closing the container, (c) a multimedia module responsive to opening the container, the multimedia module including: (i) a speaker, and (ii) a projecting unit for projecting an image viewable from the outside the container, and (d) a switch responsive to a spoon being entered into the container and displacing the semi flexible floor, such that the switch activates the multimedia module. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a personal viewer for readily facilitating viewing the image or movie by a single user. 
     According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an IR port for receiving commands from a wireless remote control. 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a screen for displaying the image or movie. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a cellular module, the cellular module including: (a) a microphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module, and (b) an earphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module. 
     According to still further teachings of the present invention there is provided, a food/drink container including: (a) a semi flexible floor, (b) a closure for closing the container, (b) a radio responsive to opening the container, the radio including a speaker for facilitating output of sound, and (c) a switch responsive to a spoon being entered into the container and displacing the semi flexible floor, such that the switch activates the radio. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an earphone jack for readily accommodating an earphone plug, thereby readily facilitating a user to use earphones with the radio. 
     According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an IR port for receiving commands from a wireless remote control. 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a cellular module, the cellular module including: (a) a microphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module, and (b) an earphone for readily facilitating two-way conversation utilizing the cellular module. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an electrical circuit connected to a power source, such that the power source provides power to the switch and the cellular module. 
     According to yet further teachings of the present invention there is provided, a food/drink container including: (a) a closure for closing the container, and (b) an audio unit for playing music, which audio unit is responsive to opening the container, the audio unit module including a speaker. 
     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an earphone for readily facilitating listening to the audio unit. 
     According to still further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including a sensor responsive to the closure being partially or totally opened. 
     According to yet further embodiments of the present invention, the food/drink container further including an IR port for receiving commands from a wireless remote control. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. 
     Hereinafter the term “multimedia” shall include any sound, audio, video, music and the like. 
     Hereinafter the term “multimedia module” shall include any multimedia system and/or equipment capable of producing sound, audio, video, music and the like. 
    
    
     
       In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a food/drink container with a multimedia module for projecting image or movies viewable from the outside walls and produce audible sound and/or music; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a food/drink container with a multimedia module for producing multimedia audible sound and/or music and operated by a pressure on the floor of the container; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a soft drink can with a multimedia module; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a large container and multimedia module according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a food/drink container with a multimedia module. A multimedia module is combined with a food/drink container for sounding voices and/or projecting images or movies in a predetermined condition e.g., when opening the container or when removing a label. The system can be built with the container as a common part or is produced to install with any existing food/drink container as a retrofit. 
     The present invention provides a food/drink container with a multimedia module for providing multimedia, sound and music and/or projecting an image or a movie from inside the container such that the image or movie are readily viewable from the exterior of the container. 
     The music, sound and multimedia are readily audible and/or visible to users by way of a speaker or speakers. The multimedia module preferably includes a laser or light projector for projecting images and/or movies, a speaker or speakers for sounding the music, sound and/or audio, a memory that stores the sound, multimedia and the images and movies, an electronic system for projecting the images via the projector and speakers for providing sound, audio and music capabilities, a sensor or switch for recognizing that the container is being used or/and going to be use. The invention further includes a power source for operating the system and the projected walls are made of a material facilitating viewing from the exterior of the container of images projected inside the container. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the food/drink container can includes ether a system for reproducing music or a system for projecting movies and/or images or both. 
     The present invention includes a sensor or switch to recognize a predetermined condition for operating the system, as a switch or sensor to recognize opening of the container or recognize users&#39; action in order to operate the multimedia module. The sensors can include a variety of sensors e.g., a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of a spoon on the floor of the container or sense the users&#39; pressure on the container walls, a sensor for sensing the removal of a label from the container, a photoelectric cell for sensing light entering the container pursuant to opening the container and/or other switches and sensors for recognizing a condition for activating the multimedia module. 
     The multimedia module is operated by an action of the user e.g., opening the container, removing a label and so on. In the embodiment of music only, the electronic system starts to play a music that is held in a memory and sound the music via a speaker or speakers. In the embodiment of full multimedia, the multimedia module of the present invention has a laser or light projector that project images on the inside walls, in some cases by using mirrors, and the walls are made of a material that enables these images to be seen from the outside while sounds are played via speaker. The voice and the images are stored in a memory and operated by an electronic system that includes a disposal power source. 
     The principles and operation of the food/drink container with a multimedia module, according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawing and the accompanying description. 
     Referring now to the drawing,  FIG. 1  illustrates a food/drink container  10  with a multimedia module  12  for projecting an image or movies viewable on an outside wall  14  and producing sound, music and audio by way of a speaker  16 . Food/drink container  10  contains a food/drink product  18 . Multimedia module  12  is operated according to predetermined criteria e.g., opening container  10 . An electronic unit  19  and a projecting unit  20  project images  22  preferably through a mirror  24  such that images  22  are readily viewable on the outside of walls  14  and images  22  can be seen from outside of container  10 . 
     Preferably, substantially contemporaneously with electronic unit  19  playing sounds via speaker  16 . Images  22  or a movie, substantially together with audible music and sound are played during consumption of food/drink product  18  by the user. 
     Alternatively, a personal image viewer  26  is provided for facilitating a user to view images  22  or a movie on personal image viewer  26 . 
     Preferably, personal image viewer  26  is a goggle shaped personal viewer  26  or in a glasses shaped personal viewer  26 , to be worn by the user for personal viewing. 
     Preferably, electronic unit  19  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with a radio  28  facilitating a user to listen to radio  28  at will. 
     Preferably, radio  28  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of the food/drink in container  10 . 
     Preferably, electronic unit  19  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with a radio  28  thereby facilitating a user to listen to radio  28  at will. 
     Preferably, radio  28  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of food/drink  18  contained in container  10 . 
     Preferably, container  10  includes a cellular module  30  for readily facilitating a user to use container  10  as a cellular phone pre-charged with a predetermined value of calls. Thus, cellular module can utilize an earphone jack  32  for readily accommodating an earphone plug  34 , which earphone plug  34  is attached to, or integrally formed with earphone  36  or earphone set  38 . Preferably, earphone  36  or earphone set  38  includes or is integrally formed with a microphone  40  for readily facilitating two-way conversations with cellular module  30 . 
     Preferably, container  10  includes a closure  42  for closing container  10  and containing food/drink  18  in container  10 . Preferably, container  10  includes a sensor  44  responsive to closure  42  being partially or totally removed from container  10 . By way of example only, sensor  44  is responsive to light entering container  10  and reaching sensor  44 , subsequently to closure  42  being removed or partially removed from container  10 . 
     Alternatively, sensor  44  is responsive to closing or opening an electrical circuit  46  connected to a power source  48 . Preferably, power source  48  provides power to sensor  44  and/or cellular module  30  and/or radio  28  and/or electronic unit  19 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a food/drink container with a sound system for sound voices and/or music and operated by a pressure on the floor of the container. A food/drink  18  is held in a container  10  with a semi flexible floor  50 . When a user insert a spoon  52  to consume food/drink  18 , spoon  52  displaces flexible floor  50  thereby triggering a switch  53 , which switch  53  activates an audio unit  54 . The audio unit  54  plays music via a speaker  56  while food/drink  18  is consumed. 
     Preferably, electronic unit  19  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with radio  28  facilitating a user to listen to radio  28  at will. 
     Preferably, radio  28  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of food/drink  18  contained in container  10 . 
     Like above, container  10  includes a cellular module  30  for readily facilitating a user to use container  10  as a cellular phone pre-charged with a predetermined value of calls. Thus, cellular module can utilizes earphone jack  32  for readily accommodating earphone plug  34 , which earphone plug  34  is attached to, or integrally formed with earphone  36  or earphone set  38 . Preferably earphone  36  or earphone set  38  include or are integrally formed with microphone  40  for readily facilitating two-way conversations with cellular module  30 . 
     Preferably, container  10  includes food/drink  18  and an infra-red (IR) port  58  responsive to commands from a wireless remote control  60 . Thus, a multimedia module  62  is electronically attached to, or integrally formed with such that container  10  can be remotely activated by a user, thereby inducing a child to consume the contents of container  10 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a soft drink container  63  with multimedia module  62 . Preferably, soft drink container  63  is a soft drink can  63  with an integral space  64  formed between food/drink  18  and outside walls  14 . 
     Preferably, soft drink container  63  includes an earphone jack  65  for readily accommodating an earphone plug  66  of an earphone  68  or an earphone set  70 . 
     Preferably, space  64  accommodates an electronic and projecting unit  20  is located with two speakers  16 . When the user uses an opener  72  to open the can, the can opening is sensed by a sensor  74  and operates the electronic and projecting unit  20 . Electronic unit  19  use images and sounds that is held in its&#39; memory to project images on the can walls  14  and sound voices via the speakers  16  for a period of time. 
     Preferably, electronic unit  19  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with a radio  28  facilitating a user to listen to radio  28  at will. 
     Preferably, radio  28  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of food/drink  18  contained in soft drink container  63 . 
     Preferably, soft drink container  63  includes a cellular module  76  for readily facilitating a user to use soft drink container  63  as a cellular phone pre-charged with a predetermined value of calls. Thus, cellular module can utilize an earphone jack  78  for readily accommodating an earphone plug  80 , which earphone plug  80  is attached to, or integrally formed with an earphone  82  or earphone set  84 . Preferably earphone  82  or earphone set  84  includes or is integrally formed with a microphone  86  for readily facilitating two-way conversations with cellular module  76 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a large food/drink container  88  with a multimedia module  90  for projecting an image or movies viewable on an outside wall  92  or a screen  94 . Multimedia module  90  is geared towards producing sound, music and audio by way of a speaker  96 . Large food/drink container  88  contains at least one food/drink product  98 . Multimedia module  90  is operated according to predetermined criteria e.g., opening large food/drink container  88 . An electronic unit  100  and a projecting unit  102  project images  104  such that images  104  are viewable on the outside of walls  92  and images  104  can be seen from outside of large food/drink container  88 . 
     Preferably, substantially contemporaneously with electronic unit  100  playing sounds via speaker  96 . Images  104  or a movie, substantially together with audible music and sound are played during consumption of food/drink product  98  by the user. 
     Preferably, electronic unit  100  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with a radio  106  facilitating a user to listen to the radio at will. 
     Preferably, radio  106  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of the food/drink in container  88 . 
     Preferably, electronic unit  100  is electronically attached to or integrally formed with a radio  106  facilitating a user to listen to radio  106  at will. 
     Preferably, radio  106  is preset to a given station according to the intended consumers of food/drink  98  contained in large food/drink container  88 . 
     Preferably, large food/drink container  88  includes a cellular vending module  108  for readily facilitating a user to use a cellular phone to pay for food/drink  98  by billing the account of the user. 
     Preferably, large food/drink container  88  includes a door shaped closure  110  for closing large food/drink container  88 . Preferably, large food/drink container  88  includes a opening sensor  112  responsive to door shaped opening door shaped closure  110  being opened. By way of example only, opening sensor  112  is responsive to a user opening door shaped closure  100 . 
     Alternatively, opening sensor  112  is responsive to closing or opening of an electrical circuit  114  connected to a power source  116 . Preferably, power source  116  provides power to sensor  112  and/or cellular vending module  108  and/or radio  106  and/or electronic unit  100 . 
     Preferably, large food/drink container  88  includes an Infra-red (IR) port  120  responsive to commands from a wireless remote control  122 . 
     Thus, multimedia module  90  is electronically attached to, or integrally formed with such that large food/drink container  88  can be remotely activated by a user. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.