Abstract:
A removable top for a bottle or other container includes a sound generator that is activated when the top is removed. The sound generator produces an entertaining audio signal that enhances experiences, such as eating experiences, undertaken at the time the bottle is opened. There are alternative ways of constructing the sound generator, such as with electrical switches, light sensors or the like.

Description:
This Application claims BENEFIT of PROVISIONAL Application No. 60/170,193 FILED ON Dec. 10, 1999. 
    
    
     The present invention is directed to a bottle top device that generates music (such as a human voice singing a song) or other audio output. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The public responds to, and enjoys, entertaining packages. Children and adults alike find pleasure in brightly colored labels, modern or distinct package shapes, and the like. Manufacturers are committed to producing such packaging because of the attention that they get on store shelves, in advertisements, etc., thereby increasing product awareness and/or product sales. 
     Some manufacturers have incorporated an audio presentation into their products. One conventional example of this is a greeting card that outputs an audio signal when it is opened. Another conventional example is a music box. Other manufacturers of common containers such as bottles and cans have also incorporated a limited audio presentation into their packaging. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,222 to Armato discloses a knob for attachment to the removable lid of a container, wherein the knob can be activated by a consumer to play an audio message. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,328 to Golant discloses a consumer product where the consumer takes appropriate steps to activate the audio message. These products have a shortcoming in that the consumer must proactively take certain steps to activate the audio message. This means that the consumer only hears the audio message if and when the consumer goes out of his/her way to take special steps to effect the activation of audio playback. 
     On the other hand, some containers with built-in audio playback will play audio automatically upon opening the container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,470 to Boldt, Jr. discloses a tamper-evident bottle with a means for generating an audio signal located in its lid. In Boldt, Jr., the audio signal is heard the first time that the bottle is opened, so that the consumer will be aware that the lid of the bottle has not been previously opened, and that it is therefore unlikely that any tampering has taken place. Within the context of an audio signal directed to tamper status of the bottle, it would not make sense to play the audio message the second or subsequent time that the bottle is opened, because the integrity of the bottle&#39;s seal has already been compromised upon the initial (hopefully innocent) opening. Consequently, the bottle of Boldt, Jr. inhibits its audio signal upon any bottle opening that occurs subsequent to the initial opening of the bottle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,383 to Seeley likewise discloses a container that produces audio tones the first time, but only the first time, that the lid is removed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,597 to Dobosi, et al. discloses a medicine bottle that sounds an audible alarm when its childproof cap is partially removed. The childproof cap and audio alarm device of Dobosi, et al. is disclosed for use in medicine bottles, where it works to provide an alarm signal every time the medicine is opened. Of course this is appropriate in the context of medicine bottles, because the contents are so dangerous that the annoyance of the alarm is outweighed by its utilitarian function in providing notice that children may be tampering with the dangerous medicine. The medicine bottle of Dobosi, et al. would not be applicable to bottles holding fruit stuffs and other non-dangerous consumer products (such as perfume) because: (1) its child-proof cap could interfere with access to the contents of the bottle; and (2) the alarm would not serve any sort of significant safety function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventors have developed a new and innovative way to entertain the users of consumer containers, and/or to attract attention to those consumer containers. The present invention, in its most basic form, is a bottle top which, when removed from the bottle to which it is attached, causes music or other types of aesthetically pleasing audio signals to be generated. The audio generator can be activated several different ways, and can be located on the product or, more preferably, within the top itself. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a top or other cap, lid, etc., for a product which, when either removed from the product or when removal is attempted, generates sound. The present invention finds particular applicability to consumer-type products, such as food and drink bottles, where music is generated in order to entertain the user. 
     At least some embodiments of the present invention may exhibit one or more of the following objects, advantages and benefits: 
     (1) an aesthetically pleasing audio signal, when built in to a product&#39;s container, will attract consumers to the container and thereby help sell more product; 
     (2) an aesthetically-pleasing audio signal provides an opportunity to help establish audio trade dress that strengthens consumer association between the packaging and the product; 
     (3) a different aesthetically-pleasing audio signal built into a container may cause certain consumers to attempt to collect more of the containers, which would also result in more sales of the product that the container holds; 
     (4) the aesthetically-pleasing audio signal may incline certain consumers to keep the container even after the product is used up, thereby causing additional consumer exposure to the product&#39;s packaging, even after the time that the packaging would normally be thrown away or recycled; and 
     (5) the aesthetically-pleasing audio signal may be utilized to convey positive messages about the container and/or the product held by the container. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a container includes a container member, a cover, an audio generator and an actuator. The container member defines an internal space and an opening located to allow access to the internal space through the opening. The cover is structured to removably cover opening in a substantially fluid-tight manner. The audio generator is structured to produce an audio signal upon activation, with the audio signal being entertaining in nature. The actuator is structured and located to automatically activate the audio generator at a least a first time the cover is at least partially removed from the opening and a second time the cover is at least partially removed from the opening. In other words, the audio generator does not generate sound one time only, upon only the initial removal of the cover. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a container includes a top. The top includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a sound generator, a power source, at least two electrical contacts. The second housing portion is rotatable relative to the second housing portion. The sound generator produces sound when activated. The power source powers the sound generator. The two electrical contacts are operatively connected to the power source and to the sound generator. The contacts serve to supply power from the power source to the sound generator. One of said contacts is mounted on the first housing portion and the other contact is mounted on the second housing portion. Rotation of the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion moves the two contacts between non-actuation and actuation positions. In the actuation position, the contacts act to supply power from the power source to the sound generator. In the non-actuation position, the contacts do not to supply power from the power source to the sound generator. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a container includes a top and a container member. The top is detachably attached to the container. The top includes a housing, a light sensing device and a printed circuit board. The light sensing device is located so that incident light on the light sensing device does not substantially change when the top is attached to the container and is motionless relative to the container. The printed circuit board is structured to selectively output an audio signal, with the light sensing device being electrically operatively connected to the printed circuit board so that a change in light incident on the light sensing device triggers the printed circuit board to output the audio signal. 
     Further applicability of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the description and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below, together with the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 shows an elevated view of a container and container top according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG.  2 ( a ) illustrates partially-cut-away, exploded view of a second embodiment of a bottle top according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG.  2 ( b ) shows a third embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention, with the third embodiment being a variation on the second embodiment. 
     FIG.  3 ( a ) shows a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of FIG.  2 ( a ). 
     FIG.  3 ( b ) shows a cross sectional view of the main housing of the second embodiment of FIG.  2 ( a ). 
     FIG.  3 ( c ) shows a cross sectional view of the lower housing of the second embodiment of FIG.  2 ( a ). 
     FIG.  4 ( a ) shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention. 
     FIG.  4 ( b ) shows an elevated view of a fifth embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention. 
     FIG.  4 ( c ) is a side view of a bottle top that shows a preferred way of securing the housings of FIGS.  4 ( a ) and/or  4 ( b ). 
     FIG.  4 ( d ) bottom view of the fourth embodiment bottle top of FIG.  4 ( a ). 
     FIG.  4 ( e ) shows a circuit diagram of the fourth embodiment bottle top of FIG.  4 ( a ). 
     FIG. 5 shows a seventh embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 shows an eighth embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 shows a top view of a ninth embodiment of a bottle top according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the ninth embodiment bottle top of FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before starting a description of the Figures, some terms will now be defined. 
     DEFINITIONS 
     The present invention: 
     at least some embodiments of the present invention; references to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods include the referenced feature(s). 
     entertaining, entertainment: does not include alarms, warning or tamper indications. 
     Foodstuff: food and or drink, but medicines are not considered as foodstuffs. remove, removed: removed entirely or merely partially removed. 
     To the extent that the definitions provided above are consistent with ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall be considered supplemental in nature. To the extent that the definitions provided above are inconsistent with ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall control. If the definitions provided above are broader than the ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings in some aspect, then the above definitions will control at least in relation to their broader aspects. 
     To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer under applicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearing in the claims section, except for the above-defined words, shall take on their ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not be considered to be specially defined in this specification. Notwithstanding this limitation on the inference of “special definitions,” the specification may be used to evidence the appropriate ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), in the situation where a word or term used in the claims has more than one alternative pre-established meaning and the specification is helpful in choosing between the alternatives. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a bottle  10  and its associated top  12 . The top  12  is a device that is used to seal the bottle  10  so that its contents, if any, will not escape. The subject invention can be applied to virtually any type of container made of virtually any type of material, such as glass or plastic or metal soda bottles, maple syrup containers, motor oil containers, aspirin bottles, etc. One preferred embodiment is to structure the container and top so that the seal between the container and the top is fluid-tight, such that the container can hold at least partially contents (e.g., syrup). For example, conventional music boxes are not suitable to hold liquid contents because music box tops do not form a sufficiently tight seal with the music box. 
     In FIG. 1, the bottle  10  is sealed with the top  12 . The seal is preferably hermetic so that perishable contents, such as perishable foodstuff, will not spoil. Preferably, top  12  is threadably, removably attachable to the bottle. In operation, the user opens the bottle  10  by removing the top  12 . When the top  12  is removed, music  14  or other entertaining sound is generated. Other entertaining sounds include sound effects, yodeling, applause, poetry, advertising, or the like. Entertaining sounds do not include any sort of alarm, tamper detection audio or product warnings, as these types of audio signals have a purpose that is completely different, and probably at odds with, entertainment. 
     Preferably, the sound generation is automatic such that the user does not need to take any steps to cause the sound generation, outside of the normal steps necessary to remove the top from the bottle. For example, if the top is threadably engaged with the bottle, then the user would only need to rotate the top relative to the bottle sufficiently to remove or partially remove the top from the bottle, without taking additional steps such as turning knobs or other winding mechanisms. In this way, the user&#39;s enjoyment of the audio program is enhanced, because there is no need to remember or execute tasks in order to hear the audio program. Rather, the user merely takes steps that would normally be taken to get at the contents of similar, conventional bottles that do not have any sort of audio generation mechanisms. 
     FIG.  2 ( a ) illustrates an exploded view of a bottle top  21  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A main housing  22  has a generally cylindrical outside shape and an internal cavity in which is formed a multi-tiered internal structure shaped to accommodate the components that generate the sound. As shown in FIG.  2 ( a ), those components include a sound actuator  24  which is connected by lines  26  to a printed circuit board  28 ; a battery  30 ; and light sensor  32 ; a bridge plate  34 ; an electrically insulated plate  36 ; a lower housing  38 ; and a gasket  40 . These components are all fixedly mounted within the internal cavity of the top. 
     The sound actuator  24  can be a thin, mylar speaker such as those of conventional construction available in the marketplace. However, it can be any other type of sound generator such as a piezoelectric transducer, a coil-driven speaker, etc. In FIG.  2 ( a ), the sound actuator  24  is on the order of 15 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick, although the artisan will appreciate that different dimensions can be used depending on the size of the top being built. 
     A larger-diameter printed circuit board  28  overlies the sound actuator, and may contain holes in order to facilitate the transmission of sound through the top to the outside. In this regard, the main housing  22  may also be provided with holes, although the location of such holes might be dictated by the type of contents being held in the container (not shown). The risk is that the components  24  to  40  may not provide a sufficient seal against migration of the container&#39;s contents through the holes in the main housing  22  to the outside. However, if the components  24  to  40  are structured to provide a sufficient seal, then holes in the housing  22  are more preferable. Such holes can be distributed in the top planar surface  22   b  of the housing  22 , and/or around its side  22   a.    
     The battery  30  or other power source, such as a charged capacitor or solar cell, is secured between the printed circuit board  28  and a bridge plate  34 . Bridge plate  34  is specially shaped to hold battery  30  securely. Bridge plate  34  may, but need not be, made of conductive material such as metal. If metal, it can act as a ground for the battery  30  and for the other electrical components of the invention. 
     An insulator plate  36  is fitted on the side of the battery opposite the printed circuit board  30  in order to provide an electrically isolated space for the battery  30 . Insulator plate  36  can be a thin plastic sheet or other non-conductive material. As will be apparent to the artisan, the bridge plate  34  and insulator plate  36  could be integrated into a single piece if a ground plate is either not needed or located elsewhere in the structure. 
     Although glue or other securing means can be used to hold the components together, the embodiment of FIG.  2 ( a ) uses screws  37  to secure the components to the main housing  22 . Each of the printed circuit board  28  and the bridge plate  36  have through-holes defined therein for at least one screw  37 . 
     The lower housing  38  has a generally planar surface  38   a  which acts together with the interior surfaces of the main housing  22  to create a cavity within which the components  24  to  37  are housed. The multi-tiered interior surface of the main housing  22  is defined by concentric steps  22   c  which lead from the edge  22   d  to the inside of the upper surface  22   b . Each of the major components listed above fits into its own step  22   c  so that they cannot move laterally within the top. Likewise, the lower housing  38  fits into one of the steps, and is further secured by projections  22   d  which protrude downward from the top interior surface of the main housing  22 , through through-holes provided in any of the intermediate components such as the printed circuit board  28  (as delineated by the broken lines of FIG.  2 ), and into slots or holes  38   c  in the lower housing  38 . 
     In addition to, or as a substitute for, the projections  22   d , the main housing  22  may include projections extending from the side wall  22   a  toward the interior of the top. In FIG. 2, these projections are shown as one or more vertical ridges which mate with elongated depression(s)  38   c  in the lower housing  38 . The lower housing also preferably includes a detent  38   d  which co-acts with a depression (not shown) in the main housing  22  to assist in keeping the lower housing tight against the main housing  22 . 
     Top  21  can be secured to the container by mechanical elements in the lower housing  38 , and/or by mechanical elements in the main housing  22 . For example, the lower housing  38  may be provided with spiral rings (e.g., threads) complementary to spiral rings on the container, so that the top is a “twist off” type of top. The top can also be a simple pull-off type of top, in which case detents in the housing  22  and/or  38  act to hold the top on the container. The type of removal mechanism and/or replacement mechanism is not critical to the operation of this embodiment. However, it is preferable to use a fluid-tight seal so that liquid or semi-liquid contents may be reliably held within the container. 
     The gasket  40  provides a barrier between the electrical components housed within the top, and the contents (if any) of the container. The gasket  40  is optional, and lies within a cavity of the lower housing  38 . 
     In FIG.  2 ( a ), the light source  32  acts as the trigger (or activator) for the sound actuator  24 . The light source is mounted in a protected area of the top, but can “see” into the container through a window  36   a  in the insulator plate  36 , a window (not shown) in the lower housing  38 , and a window  40   a  in the gasket  40 . Each of these windows could be holes, but it is preferred that at least one of them is a transparent or translucent material, one which can transmits light of the proper wavelength to the light sensor  32 . It should be understood that the light sensor can be sensitive to whatever wavelength of ambient (not necessarily visible) light that is expected to exist in and around the container. 
     In operation, top  21  is secured to its container. The material of the container (or labeling on the container) is either opaque to the ambient light or, acting in concert with the contents of the container, blocks the ambient light from reaching the light sensor  32 . When the user wishes to open the container he or she removes the top, thereby exposing the interior of the container, and thus the light sensor  32 , to the ambient light. The ambient light causes the light sensor  32  to change state, which is either sensed by a controller on the printed circuit board  28  or acts to supply power the controller (like a closed switch). 
     The controller, in response, either supplies power from the battery  30  to the sound actuator  24  together with the musical notes to play, or simply provides the musical notes upon being powered up. Light sensor  32  thus acts as an ON/OFF switch to turn on the sound actuator  24 , meaning that the loss of ambient light (e.g., when the top is replaced onto the container) may turn off the sound controller. The controller may be a SPEF40A sound controller available from Sunplus, which can be programmed to play music or other sounds from a Windows programming platform. (It is noted that the words Sunplus, Windows and/or SPEF40 may be subject to trademark rights.) 
     The artisan will appreciate that innumerable variations can be made to the specific implementation shown in FIG.  2 ( a ). For example, as shown in FIG.  2 ( b ), one or more windows  22   e  can be provided on the side surface  22   a  of the main housing (and possibly on the sides of the lower housing  38 ) so that the sound can begin before the top is fully removed from the container. If, for example, such a window is provided at the mid-point between the upper surface  22   b  and the lower edge of the main housing  22 , then the sound actuator will be actuated when the top is approximately half-way off of the container. Thus, the present invention contemplates the “removal” of the top to include situations where the top is not completely removed, but rather removal has at least been initiated. Here, the window may include a convex or other lens that focuses ambient light onto the light sensor  32 . 
     If the power source is a solar cell, the solar cell should be exposed to ambient light as the top is removed. The ambient light charges the solar cell so that, after the expiration of a charging period, power is generated and the sound generator is activated. The solar cell can remain charged after the top is replaced onto the container. The sound controller can also be programmed with an initial soundless period, so that the sound does not begin until a predetermined time after the top has been removed. This can be useful in surprising the user, anjd thereby enhancing the entertainment value of the audio program. Also, the time interval and or the selection of audio program itself can be made random, for further variety in the entertaining experience of removing the top from the bottle. 
     FIGS.  3 ( a ) to  3 ( c ) are cross-sectional views showing how to construct and assemble the top of FIG.  2 ( a ). FIG.  3 ( a ) shows a side view of the top of FIG. 2 in cross section, and in an assembled state. In this embodiment, its size is on the order of 44 mm in diameter, and 25 mm tall. The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular size or shape—the top can have a square cross section, and irregular shape, etc. FIG.  3 ( b ) shows the same view as FIG.  3 ( a ) but only includes the main housing  22 . FIG.  3 ( c ) shows a similar cross-section, but only includes the lower housing  38  for clarity of illustration. 
     FIG.  4 ( a ) shows a fourth embodiment of a bottle top  100  according to the present invention. Top  100  includes similar components as described for top  21  of FIG.  2 ( a ), but the main housing  122  is rotatable relative to the lower housing  138 . The main and lower housings mate at a track that permits the relative rotation. The main housing and lower housing are respectively provided with contacts  144 ,  146  of a switch. When engaged the contacts  144 ,  146  cause power to be supplied from the battery to the sound actuator, thereby initiating the production of sound. A helical spring or other resilient element (not shown) can be provided internally or externally between the two housing pieces in order to cause the respective contacts  144 ,  146  to separate. This is particularly useful in embodiments in which the sound controller monitors the engaged/disengaged state of the contacts and only requires momentary engagement of the contacts in order to be activated. 
     As with top  21  of FIG.  2 ( a ), the top  100  of FIG.  4 ( a ) can employ screw threads on the lower housing to secure the top to its container, or the top can be a simple pull-off top having appropriate detents formed in the lower housing  38 . The method and manner of removal and/or replacement of the top is not critical to the operation of this embodiment. However, in embodiments in which the top is a twist-off type of top, the user rotates the main housing  22  relative to the lower housing  38  until the contacts  144 ,  146  engage one another. Upon engagement, the sound controller begins supplying sound tones to the sound actuator. 
     In this way, the user is not required to take any action beyond the twisting motion that would otherwise be required to extricate the top from the bottle. Meanwhile, the user continues to rotate the main housing (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) whereby the contact on the main housing presses against the contact of the lower housing with enough force to cause the lower housing to begin rotating relative to the container. The lower housing, having the spiral grooves that mate with the container, is thus twisted off. 
     FIG.  4 ( b ) shows another embodiment of a bottle top  200  according to the present invention, which is a variation of previously explained top  100  of FIG.  4 ( a ). In top  200 , contact  244  is located on main housing  222  and contact  246  is disposed on lower housing  238 . Again, the contacts are twisted into angular alignment to trigger the audio program. A further variation of FIG.  4 ( a ) includes a lower housing that is held within the main housing  22 , much like the design of FIG.  2 ( a ), but wherein the two housings can rotate relative to one another but for the contacts. Top  200  is arranged so that top  200  can only be removed from a bottle (not shown) by grasping the lower housing  138  and twisting it. For example, contacts  144 ,  146  can be radially disposed relative to one another as shown in FIG.  4 ( b ), such that engagement is made over a predetermined range of positions of the main housing  222  relative to the lower housing  238 . At the same time, the main housing  222  is infinitely rotatable relative to the lower housing  238 . 
     In both the tops  100  and  200 , the main housing  122 ,  222  needs to be mated with the respective lower housing  138 ,  238 . One possible mating system (generic to both tops  100  and  200 ) includes an interlocking-J shape, such as that shown in FIG.  4 ( c ). 
     FIG.  4 ( d ) shows bottle top  300 , which is another variation, includes dedicated stops  350 ,  352  which do not act to turn on the sound, but rather to twist on or twist off the top from the container. In top  300 , a separate pair of contacts  344 ,  346  generate the actuation signal used by the sound controller to activate the audio program. 
     FIG.  4 ( e ) shows a circuit diagram for the audio circuitry  150  of bottle top  100 . The circuitry includes circuit board music chip  152 , speaker  154 , batter  156 , grounds  158 , electrical line  160  and electrical line  162 . Electrical line  160  leads to contact  144 , while electrical line leads to contact  146 . When the two contacts  144 ,  146  come into contact, circuit board music chip  152  starts the audio program through speaker  154 . The audio program preferably lasts only for a predetermined interval, but will restart when contact is again made. 
     FIG. 5 shows bottle top  400  according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, two contacts  444 ,  446  are respectively disposed on gasket  440  and on a stationary part of housing  422 . Gasket  440  is flexible and is shown in a deflected position due to pressurization inside the container (not shown). Top  400  is suitable for soda or other contents that create or are simply stored under pressure. When top  400  is removed to a point where the pressure is released, the resultant deflection of gasket  440  ceases, thereby allowing the gasket to move to a more-relaxed planar orientation. Contact  444  on gasket  440  is thereby caused to move downward so that it comes into contact with the other contact  446  on disposed on housing  422 . Similar to the circuitry explained above in connection with FIG.  4 ( e ), sound is activated by contact between the two contacts. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an another embodiment of a bottle top  500  and container  570  according to the present invention. In top  500 , some of the electronic components described in relation to FIG. 2 are mounted on the container rather than on or in the top itself. Top  500  is essentially removed from the container, but is connected by a connector  562  to a collar  564 . Collar  564  can be glued to container  570 , or it can be free to rotate about the neck of container  570 . In either case, collar  564  contains some or all of the components shown in FIG.  2 . In one embodiment, the battery is stored in the collar, with power being fed through the connector  562  to the top. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show a bottle top  400  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Bottle top  400  includes housing portion  402 , housing portion  404 , housing portion  406  and housing portion  408 , printed circuit board (“PCB”)  410 , light sensing circuit  412 , audio link  414 , speaker  416  and batteries  418 . The various portions of the housing  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408  fit together to secure the other components. PCB  410  secures batteries  418  and circuitry to generate an entertainment audio program. 
     Light sensing device  412  is located to detect changes in incident light. Preferably, light sensing device is located so that incident light will not change unless and until top  400  is wholly or at least partially removed from a bottle (not separately shown). Preferably, light sensing device  412  uses correlated double sampling so that it can operate more accurately in low light conditions. This is advantageous because ambient light inside a bottle top is usually pretty low. Light sensing device  412  communicates with the circuitry of PCB  410 , so that when it detects a change in incident light, PCB  410  responds by outputting its audio program(s). 
     The audio program generation circuitry of PCB  410  is sent to speaker  416  by audio link  414 . Speaker  416  and the other circuitry is powered by batteries  418 , which have metal top panels  420 . Preferably, the batteries are LR41 batteries. 
     The invention having been thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways not only in construction but also in application. For example, the sound generated by the invention can act as an alarm for the purpose of warning the user or someone else within earshot of the sound, such as a parent being warned when a toxic bottle has been opened. Although one embodiment described above is suitable for use with an opaque container, or at least a container that acts in concert with its contents to block light from reaching a light sensor, it should be understood that the present invention may be used with transparent and translucent containers as well. The contacts described above can also be placed on the separate pieces of childproof safety caps that are commonly used with pharmaceutical or other pills, i.e., those caps that must first be depressed before they can be twisted off of their container. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, but rather as modifications intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following claims. 
     Many variations on the above-described container covers are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, but rather as modifications intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following claims, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law.