Abstract:
A gift bag having an audio message playback device is activate by a motion detector to play an audio message upon detection of movement of the gift bag or in the vicinity of the gift bag. The gift bag includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom to define an interior for receiving a gift. The audio message, played upon the detection of movement of or in the vicinity of the gift bag, may include siren noises, music and/or spoken messages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a gift bag. More particularly, this invention relates to a gift bag having an audio playback device that is activated by a motion detector. In today&#39;s fast paced world, the popularity of gift bags, in comparison to the traditional wrapping of a gift using wrapping paper, has increased significantly. The ability to quickly place a gift therein, add some tissue paper and be done with the wrapping process is attractive to many consumers. The gift bags, however, still remain open at the top where someone could look into the gift bag to see the gift before the intended time for opening of the package. Accordingly, the present invention provides the gift bag with an audio message that is played upon sensing movement of the bag or movement in the vicinity of the bag. This audio message alerts others in the area of a possible “unauthorized” opening of the bag and provides the bag with a unique and unexpected feature that enhances the entertainment qualities of the gift bag. 
         [0004]    The gift bag can be of standard construction having four walls and a bottom to provide a space for a user to locate a gift. The bag can also have a pair of handles to permit easy carrying of the gift bag. An audio playback device is provided with the gift bag that includes a motion detector which provides activation of the audio playback device. The audio playback device includes a speaker for playing back a message stored in a memory component of the audio playback device. A power source is provided for powering the audio playback device and a switch may be provided for deactivating or turning off the audio playback device. In an alternate embodiment, the audio playback device may also include a microphone and a record feature to allow a purchaser of the gift bag to record their own message that is played upon activation of the audio playback device. 
         [0005]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0006]    The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate one possible embodiment of the present invention, and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a user activating an alarm of a gift bag constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention by moving the same; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one possible design of a gift bag constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation of gift bag of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevation of an interior of the gift bag of  FIG. 3  with a portion of a cover panel cut-away to reveal electrical components of the gift bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to  FIG. 1 , numeral  10  generally designates a gift bag constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The gift bag  10  includes a bag body  12  and a pair of handles  14 . An audio playback device  16  is coupled with the gift bag  10  to provide sound  18  in the form of an audio message or alert upon activation of the audio playback device  16  as a result of detecting movement  20  of or in the vicinity of the gift bag  10 . 
         [0012]    The bag body  12  can have any construction known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag body  12  includes a plurality of side walls or side panels  22  connected to or integrally formed with a bottom panel  24 . The side walls  22  cooperate to define an opening  26  adjacent an upper periphery  28  of the side walls  22  to permit access to an interior  30  of the bag body  12  that is defined by the side walls  22  and the bottom  24 . 
         [0013]    Opposing panels  22  may be provided with a vertical crease  32  to permit folding of the gift bag  10  in a manner known in the art. Similarly, a transverse crease  32  may be provided across one of the panels  22  to permit folding of the bottom  24  upward for storage for the gift bag  10  in a flat or collapsed position. 
         [0014]    The audio playback device  16  can be any electronic device capable of storing and playing back an audio message upon activation. In the illustrated embodiment, the audio playback device  16  includes a circuit board  34  onto which is mounted an integrated circuit or chip  36  and one or more batteries  38  for powering the audio playback device  16 . A speaker  40  is electrically coupled with the circuit board  34  by, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of wires  42 . Also electrically coupled with the circuit board  34  is a power switch  44  and a motion detector  46 . 
         [0015]    In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated circuit  36  includes a memory component which stores an audio message for playback upon activation of the audio playback device  16 . The power switch  44  provides a user with the ability to selectively turn the audio playback device  16  on or off to conserve battery life or prevent activation of the audio playback device during filling of or “authorized” transportation of the gift bag  10 . The sound or audio message  18  can be any type of sound or audio message including, but not limited to, a siren sound, music, and/or spoken words. To provide the gift bag  10  with an increased amusement level, the audio message  18  may include a spoken message advising people in the vicinity of the gift bag  10  that an “unauthorized” peek inside the bag has been detected and instructing the person  48  whose movement was detected and triggered activation of the audio playback device  16  to “step away from the bag!” in an official sounding voice. 
         [0016]    In an alternate embodiment, the audio playback device  16  may also be provided with a microphone (not shown) and a record button (not shown) to permit a purchaser of the gift bag  10  to record their own message on the audio playback device  16  that is played back either alone or in combination with a pre-recorded message upon activation of the audio playback device  16 . 
         [0017]    In use, a purchaser of the gift bag  10 , for example, a parent, expands the bag body  12  to the open position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and inserts a gift into the interior  30  of the bag body  12  through the opening  26  in the manner customary in the art. The parent can then cover the gift (not shown) with tissue paper to obstruct the gift from view through the opening  26 . The parent may then “arm” the audio playback device  16  by switching on the power to the audio playback device  16  by using the power switch  44 . The gift bag  10  is then placed in a desired location. 
         [0018]    When the motion detector  46  senses or detects movement  20  of the gift bag  10  or in the vicinity of the gift bag  10 , the motion detector  46  activates the audio playback device  16  which in turn initiates playback of the sound or recorded message via the speaker  40 . It should be understood that the term “motion detector” is to be broadly defined as any item or device that can detect movement of the bag (such as motion switch which activates upon movement), in the vicinity of the bag (such as a device that detects changes in light), or both. 
         [0019]    Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the audio playback device  16  may be coupled with the gift bag  10  in a manner that allows the audio playback device  16  to be visible, in the illustrated embodiment, the audio playback device  16  is hidden from view by placing it behind an interior flap or cover panel  50  while the audio playback device is mounted on an interior of one of the side walls  22  adjacent an upper edge. The motion detector  46  may then be positioned such that a portion thereof passes through an opening in one of the side walls  22  of the bag body  12 . Other modifications would be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]    From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.