Abstract:
A vessel with a base unit that illuminates the beverage housing of the vessel is provided. The housing may be in the shape of a beverage bottle. The base unit may include a light source adapted to project light through the housing with a color of light coordinated with the color of a liquid in the vessel or a color of walls of the housing; and a mating surface adapted to mate with a bottom of the housing. The base unit may have a mating surface with a rounded protrusion adapted to mate with an inverted-cup shaped cavity formed in the bottom of the housing, such that the light source is in the center of the cup in the mated position. The vessel may also include a timer configured to turn off the light source a specified period of time after the light source is turned on.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/776,764, filed on Feb. 24, 2006, which is incorporated in full by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a container for holding liquids, and in particular, to an illuminated container for holding liquids. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Art 
         [0005]    Containers, such as liquor bottles, are common place. As is known, bartenders will often line liquor bottles along a surface of the bar. As customers order drinks, the bartender will select one or more of the bottles, dispense liquor therefrom, and then place the bottles back onto the bar surface. 
         [0006]    Bar and restaurant owners are often seeking ways to enhance the atmosphere of a bar. One way this has been done is to illuminate the bar surface on which the bottles are placed. By illuminating the bar surface, the bottles also appear illuminated. A similar technique has been to place the bottles on lighted discs, again, causing the bottles to appear illuminated. However, a disadvantage of these two illumination techniques is that the bottles do not remain illuminated once the bartender removes the bottles from the bar surface/discs and as the bartender dispenses liquor from the bottles. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to attach an illumination effect to the bottles so that the bottles remain illuminated when in use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In an example embodiment, there is provided an illuminatable vessel, i.e., a vessel capable of being illuminated, and a base unit that can illuminate a vessel or a housing of a vessel. The vessel includes a housing, for example in the shape of a beverage bottle, adapted to hold liquid; a base unit that illuminates the housing, and includes a light source adapted to project light through the housing with a color of light coordinated with the color of at least one of a liquid in the vessel or a color of walls of the housing; and a mating surface adapted to mate with a bottom of the housing. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the base unit has a mating surface that is either non-removably attachable or removably attachable to the bottom of the housing. The mating surface may be screwed on to the bottom of the housing. 
         [0010]    In an example embodiment, the mating surface may include a rounded protrusion adapted to mate with an inverted-cup shaped cavity formed in the bottom of the housing. The light source may be arranged such that it is at or near the center of the inverted cup when the base unit is mated with the housing. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the light source may be removably attachable to the base unit. 
         [0012]    In an example embodiment, the base unit may include at least one side wall that is transparent to light from the light source, and may include at least one opaque side wall. It may also feature a light-reflective bottom wall. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the base unit may further include a second light source of a color different from the color of the first light source. The base unit may also further include an integrated circuit configured to control an on and off state of the light source to produce a flashing pattern. 
         [0014]    In an example embodiment, the vessel may also include a timer configured to turn off the light source a specified period of time after the light source is turned on. This timer may be located at the base unit. 
         [0015]    In an example embodiment, the base unit may further include a pressure-sensitive automatic switch adapted to turn on the light source automatically when the base unit is lifted from a resting surface. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the vessel may also include an automatic switch adapted to turn on the light source automatically when the base unit is tilted from a substantially upright position, when the base unit is substantially moved, or when a cap of the housing is at least one of removed or replaced. 
         [0017]    In an example embodiment, the housing of the vessel may be a drinking glass or a vase. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  shows a front view of an illuminated container according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  shows a rear view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1D  shows a top view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1E  shows a bottom view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1F  shows interior portions of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a portion of the interior of the illuminated container of  FIG. 1A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative configuration of an illuminated container according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows another alternative configuration of an illuminated container according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  shows a front view of an illuminated container according to another example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  shows a rear view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 5A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  shows a top view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 5A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5D  shows a bottom view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 5A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  shows a front view of an illuminated container according to another example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  shows a rear view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 6A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6C  shows a top view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 6A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6D  shows a bottom view of the illuminated container of  FIG. 6A  according to an example embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 F there is shown an illuminated container  100  according to an example or preferred embodiment (“example embodiment”) of the invention. Note that  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C show a front view, a rear view, and a perspective view of container  100 .  FIG. 1F  shows the same view of the container as  FIG. 1A  with portions of the container cut away so as to show interior portions thereof. Container  100  includes a bottle  102  having a spout  104 , a cap  120  that detachably secures over spout  104 , and a base unit  130  secured at a bottom end  102   b  of bottle  102 . According to an example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130  houses a lighting unit  140  that when activated, illuminates bottle  102  from the bottom thereof, thereby causing bottle  102  to glow. 
         [0036]    Bottle  102  is preferably a closed container configured to hold liquid therein. According to an example embodiment of the invention, bottle  102  includes three sides  106   a ,  106   b , and  106   c , as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C and  1 D, with  FIG. 1D  being a top view of container  100 . These sides are joined at edges  107   a ,  107   b , and  107   c , thereby giving bottle  102  a triangular cross-section. Each of the sides  106   a - c  may have substantially the same dimensions or different dimensions. Edges  107   a - c  are preferably radiused or rounded. Nonetheless, these edges may have other forms including but not limited to an angular formation. In an example embodiment of the invention, sides  106   a - c  taper inward from the bottom end  102   b  of bottle  102  towards the top end  102   a  of the bottle. With this configuration, bottle  102  has the form of a three-sided pyramid. In an example embodiment, tapering the sides  106   a - c  inward as described above increases the luminescence of the bottle when lighting unit  140  is activated, thereby requiring less power output. 
         [0037]    Bottle  102  may also include in an example embodiment an opening or spout  104  integral with sides  106   a - c  at the top end  102   a  of the bottle. Spout  104  may be configured such that a liquid may be placed into and dispensed from bottle  102 . In general, spout  104  may have any shape and/or configuration. Bottle  102  may also include a base  108  integral with sides  106   a - c  at the bottom end  102   b  of the bottle. Base  108  is preferably solid thereby forming an enclosed container. 
         [0038]    One skilled in the art will recognize that while bottle  102  preferably has a pyramid type shape as described above, the bottle may have other configurations without deviating from the invention. In an example embodiment, bottle  102  may have two sides or may have four or more sides. Similarly, the sides may not taper inward, thereby giving bottle  102  a column-like shape. Bottle  102  also does not need to include distinct sides but rather, may by one single continuous side, thereby giving bottle  102  a rounded appearance. One skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other configurations are possible. 
         [0039]    Preferably, sides  106   a - c  and base  108  of bottle  102  are formed of glass, although other known materials can be used. Spout  104  may also be formed of glass, although other materials, including but not limited to metal, may be used. As further described below, lighting unit  140  of base unit  130  preferably projects light through base  108  of bottle  102  and out through sides  106   a - c , thereby causing bottle  102  to glow. Accordingly, base  108  is preferably transparent or at least sufficiently translucent or shaded to allow light to enter into the interior of bottle  102 . Similarly, sides  106   a - c  may be transparent or sufficiently translucent or shaded to allow the light to thereafter exit from the bottle. According to an example embodiment of the invention, sides  106   a - c  are lightly frosted on at least the exterior of bottle  102 , thereby making the sides translucent. This frosting increases luminescence. In an example embodiment, sides  106   a - c  and/or base  108  may be clear glass (that is frosted or unfrosted) or may be glass tinted with a color (again, frosted or unfrosted), such as green. 
         [0040]    One skilled in the art will recognize that sides  106   a - c  and/or base  108  do not need to be uniformly configured throughout. For example, portions of sides  106   a - c  may be transparent and other portions translucent. Similarly, portions of sides  106   a - c  may be opaque and other portions transparent/translucent. As another example, different portions of sides  106   a - c  may be different colors. 
         [0041]    In addition to sides  106   a - c  and/or base  108  possibly being frosted, the sides and base may be substantially smooth, so not to refract the light passing therethrough, or may be cut-glass. Again, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous other configurations are possible. 
         [0042]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, one or more of sides  106   a - c  may include markings, labels, and/or printed/painted matter. As an example, such matter may be decorative patterns, trademarks, trade names, etc. This matter may or may not allow light to pass there through. 
         [0043]    One skilled in the art will recognize that while sides  106   a - c  and base  108  of bottle  102  are preferably made of glass, the sides and base may be formed from any transparent, translucent, shaded, tinted, frosted etc. material known in the art, such as plastic. 
         [0044]    Preferably cap  120  detachably secures to spout  104 , thereby sealing bottle  102 . The exterior shape of cap  120  may vary without deviating from the present invention. As an example and as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C and  1 D, cap  120  may have three sides that taper inward, thereby matching the shape of cap  120  to the shape of bottle  102 . 
         [0045]    Cap  120  may secure to spout  104  using any mechanism known in the art. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1F , cap  120  may include an integral cork  122  disposed therein that extends perpendicularly downward within the cap. Cork  122  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including but not limited to wood, plastic, rubber, glass, metal, etc. As cap  120  is placed over spout  104 , cork  122  may seat within spout  104 , thereby sealing bottle  102  and also securing the cap to the bottle. Alternatively or in addition, spout  104  may include ridge  105  configured to correspond to the interior shape of cap  120 , thereby forming an interference/friction fit. Alternatively, cap  120  and spout  104  may be configured such that cap  120  is a screw cap. 
         [0046]    Cap  120  is preferably opaque so that light emanating from lighting unit  140  does not project from the spout of the bottle. Nonetheless, cap  120  may also be configured to be transparent, translucent, shaded, frosted etc. in accordance with the above discussion relating to other parts of the bottle. Depending on the configuration of cap  120 , the cap may be formed from any material(s) known in the art including ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or composite plastic, glass, metal, and/or wood and may have any color. As an example, cap  120  may formed of an opaque plastic colored to have a chrome-like appearance. 
         [0047]    One skilled in the art will recognize that container  100  does not need to include a cap  120 . For example, container  100  may only include a cork  122 . As another example, spout  104  may be configured such that bottle  120  is an open bottle that is not sealed. 
         [0048]    Referring now to base unit  130 , according to an example embodiment of the invention, this unit is configured to house lighting unit  140  and is configured to seat over the exterior surface of base  108  of bottle  102 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , which is a detailed cross-section of base unit  130  and a portion of bottle  102 , according to an example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130  may have a cup-like configuration and in particular, may include one or more sides  132   a - c , a bottom side  134  integral with sides  132   a - c , and an open top side for receiving bottle  102 . The exterior shape of base unit  130  may vary without deviating from the present invention. As an example and as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C, and  1 E ( FIG. 1E  being a bottom view of container  100 ), base unit  130  may have three sides  132   a - c  with radiused edges, thereby matching the shape of sides  106   a - c  of bottle  102 . Bottom side  134  of base unit  130  is preferably flat on the exterior surface  134 b thereof, thereby providing a stable platform for vessel  100  when placing the vessel on a surface, for example. 
         [0049]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130  is detachably secured to bottle  102  over the exterior surface of base  108 . In this way, a user may detach base unit  130  from bottle  102  to service lighting unit  140 , such as to replace a battery, for example. Base unit  130  may secure to bottle  102  using any mechanism known in the art. For example, base  108  of bottle  102  may seat within base unit  130  and include a ridge  111  configured to correspond to the interior shape of base unit  130 , thereby forming an interference/friction fit. Alternatively, base unit  130  and base  108  may be configured such that the base unit  130  screws onto base  108 . 
         [0050]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130  may be non-detachably secured to bottle  102 . As an example, base  108  of bottle  102  may seat within base unit  130  and be secured thereto with an adhesive. Here, base unit  130  may include a hatch or door along bottom side  134  for example, which door may provide access to lighting unit  140 . Alternatively, lighting unit  140  may seat within bottom side  134  of base unit  130  and be configured to be detachably inserted into and removed from the base unit. 
         [0051]    Base unit  130  is preferably opaque so that light emanating from lighting unit  140  does not project through the base unit. Nonetheless, base unit  130  may also be configured to be transparent, translucent, shaded, frosted etc. in accordance with the above discussion relating to other parts of the bottle. Depending on the configuration of base unit  130 , it may be formed from any material(s) known in the art including ABS or composite plastic, glass, metal, and/or wood and may have any color. As an example, base unit  130  may formed of an opaque plastic colored to have a chrome-like appearance. 
         [0052]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the interior surface of base unit  130  (such as along interior surface  134   a  of bottom side  134 ) is coated with a reflective or mirror-like substance so that light emanating from lighting unit  140  reflects into the interior of bottle  102 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , lighting unit  140 , according to an example embodiment of the invention, includes one or more light sources  144 , a power source  146 , and a switch  148 . Light source  144  may be one or more LEDs and power source  146  may be one or more batteries, such as a 3-volt battery. Light source  144 , power source  146 , and switch  148  are operatively connected such that light source  144  illuminates through the activation of switch  148 . As indicated above, lighting unit  140  is preferably housed within base unit  130 . Lighting unit  140  is preferably configured such that when base unit  130  is secured to bottle  102 , light source  144  is centrally positioned under the bottom side of base  108  and is configured to direct light upward through base  108  and into the interior of bottle  102 . Nonetheless, other configurations are possible. 
         [0054]    According to an example embodiment of the invention and as shown in  FIGS. 1F and 2 , base  108  of bottle  102  may include an inverted well  109  that extends into the interior of bottle  102 , thereby forming an empty cavity  110 . In general, inverted well  109  increases the illumination effect/luminescence of bottle  102 . According to an example embodiment of the invention, light source  144  may be configured to be disposed at the entrance/lower end of cavity  109 . According to another example embodiment of the invention and as shown in  FIGS. 1F and 2 , light source  144  may be configured to be disposed within cavity  110 , thereby effectively positioning the light source within the interior of bottle  102 . As an example, lighting unit  140  may include a pedestal  142  on which light source  144  is positioned and which places the light source into cavity  110 . This configuration of light source  144  enables light emanating from the light source to travel up and down bottle  102 , thereby further increasing luminescence. One skilled in the art will recognize that the depth of cavity  110  and the positioning of light source  144  within this cavity may vary. As an example, cavity  110  and light source  144  may be configured to substantially place the light source at the center of bottle  102 . 
         [0055]    Once skilled in the art will recognize that base  108  does not need to include a cavity as shown in the figures. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , base  108  may be substantially flat along the bottom side thereof and may be disposed within base unit  130  so as to reside above light source  144 . One skilled in the art will also recognize that base unit  130  and lighting unit  140  may have configurations other than that described above. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , base unit  130  and bottle  102  may be configured such that base unit  130  and lighting unit  140  seat within cavity  110  of base  108  of bottle  102 . 
         [0056]    Switch  148 , according to an example embodiment of the invention, may be a manually operated switch accessible from bottom side  134  of base unit  130  and that allows a user to turn light source  144  on and off as desired. Alternatively and/or in addition, lighting unit  140  may also include a timer  150  that automatically turns light source  144  off after a predetermined time limit, such as  10  seconds. 
         [0057]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, switch  148  may be a pressure type switch that extends from bottom side  134  of base unit  130  and is activated through contact with a surface on which vessel  100  is placed. For example, picking up vessel  100  may cause switch  148  to turn light source  144  on and placing vessel  100  back down may cause switch  148  to turn light source  144  off. Alternatively, lighting unit  140  may also include a timer  150  such that placing vessel  100  onto a surface does not turn light source  144  off. Rather, the light source may remain illuminated for a predetermined time limit until turned off by the timer. 
         [0058]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, switch  148  may be configured as a pendulum mechanism that turns light source  144  on when vessel  100  is tilted, for example, and turns light source  144  off when vessel  100  is up-righted. Similarly, switch  148  may be configured as a motion switch that turns light source  144  on when vessel  100  is moved. Again, a timer  150  may be included with either of these configurations. 
         [0059]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, switch  144  may be integrated with the removal and replacement of cap  120 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other variations are possible. 
         [0060]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, lighting unit  140  may also include an integrated circuit  152  thereby forming an intelligent light source  144 . For example, integrated circuit  152  may be configured to cause light source  144  to illuminate in flashed patterns for example. Assuming lighting unit  140  includes a plurality of light sources  144 , integrated circuit  152  may cause the light sources to illuminate in patterns. 
         [0061]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, light source  144  may be emit a white light or may emit a colored light. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the color of light source  144  may be coordinated with the color of the liquid within container  102  and/or coordinated with the color of sides  106   a - c . In this way, the appearance of vessel  100  is directly affected and enhanced. As an example, the color of light source  144  may be matched to the color of the liquid within container  102  and/or matched to the color of sides  106   a - c . In this way, the light output of vessel  100  may be maximized. 
         [0062]    According to an example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130 /lighting unit  140  may be non-detachable from bottle  102  so that the bottle and base unit are purchased as a single system. According to another example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130  may be detachable from bottle  102 . With this configuration, a bartender for example, may purchase a plurality of bottles  102  and a single base unit  130 . Here, the bartender may attach base unit  130  to the bottle presently being used. When the bottle is empty, the bartender may discard the bottle and secure base unit  130  to a new bottle. 
         [0063]    According to another example embodiment of the invention, base unit  130 /lighting unit  140  may be configured and sold in a plurality of standard sizes and shapes corresponding to commercially sold bottles. In this fashion, a bartender for example, may attach a base unit to any commercially sold bottle as desired. As an example, each base unit may be configured to attach to a bottle using an interference/friction fit. 
         [0064]    One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be applied to numerous types of containers. For example, the invention may be applied to liquor bottles (as described above), soda bottles, decanters, etc. The invention may also be applied to personal use containers such as beer bottles and water bottles. The invention may also be applied to drinking glasses. Similarly, the invention may be applied to containers not used to hold consumer beverages, such as vases. One skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to these example applications. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C, and  5 D there is shown an illuminated container according to another example embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D there is shown an illuminated container according to a further example embodiment of the invention. Note that  FIGS. 1A-1E ,  FIG. 5A-5D , and  FIGS. 6A-6D  correspond to figures in a co-filed design application (U.S. Design Application Serial No. 29/254,614, filed Feb. 24, 2006) by the inventor of the present application, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0066]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other combination of features, variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.