Patent Publication Number: US-6669352-B2

Title: Liquid-activated novelty light

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a novelty item for decoration or illumination. The invention comprises a self-contained, submersible, lighting device, which generates light when placed in a liquid, such as a glass of water or alcoholic beverage, to provide a decorative appearance for entertaining or providing light. The novelty light can also serve as a locator for a glass or other container of liquid to provide directional lighting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a liquid activated novelty light, with multiple uses, such as creating light when placed in a liquid, such as an alcoholic beverage, and may be used to create aesthetically pleasing directional lighting along a path or walkway. 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple, self-contained liquid activated novelty light. 
     It is another object of the invention to create a liquid activated novelty light that is rugged, and suitable for repeated use. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a liquid activated novelty light which is activated upon contact with a liquid suitable of conducting electricity, so that the light will automatically turn off when removed to a dry environment. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide such a liquid activated novelty that can be used to replace candles that are subject to being extinguished by wind or other forces in the environment. 
     It is a further object of the invention to create a reusable liquid activated, self-contained, economical novelty light. 
     The liquid activated novelty light includes a generally cylindrical body and a transparent spherical dome on its exterior. Within the spherical dome is mounted a low power light bulb or light emitting diode that is powered by a small battery such as a lithium-ion battery housed within the cylindrical portion of the novelty light, so that the light will provide relatively high intensity illumination compared to the amount of energy used from the power source. Obviously, many types of light sources could be used and could even be extended with the addition of fiber optic elements. 
     The liquid activated novelty light of the present invention is designed to be very economical to manufacture and use, and may be provided with a releasable mechanism so that the power supply can be replaced. 
     A pair of electrodes on the exterior of the cylindrical portion complete the electrical circuit when the novelty light is placed in a liquid environment where the liquid conducts electricity from one electrode to the other. Therefore, the light can be used as a novelty item in a beverage to provide an entertaining “lighted drink” effect. The liquid activated novelty light is superior to known prior art devices, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,212 because of its simplicity, structural integrity, minimum number of elements, and appearance. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid activated novelty light of the present invention immersed in a suitable liquid; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the novelty light of FIG. 1, and; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the novelty light of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is a novelty lighting device adapted to be submersible in liquid without leakage of the liquid into the interior of the device which could damage the interior elements. The device thus generally has an outer liquid-proof case as described below. The case, if to be used in beverages, is preferably be made of food-hygiene grade plastic adapted for safety in contact with consumables. The device can be manufactured to be less dense than the liquid in which it is to be placed, so that the body of the device will float, or more dense than the liquid so as to allow it to sink to the bottom of the container. 
     The liquid activated novelty device, generally designated  10 , is shown in FIG. 1 submersed in a transparent or a translucent liquid  12 , such as water, which is contained in a transparent container  16 , which in this case is cylindrical in shape. The details of the liquid activated light are shown more clearly in FIG.  2  and described below. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the liquid activated light, generally designated  10 , is shown in the activated or on mode, also as shown in FIG. 1, where it is submerged in a transparent fluid  12 . The novelty light  10  includes an upper transparent, spherical dome portion  20  which extends about 270 degrees and terminates in a downwardly directed, cylindrical flange  22 . The dome  20  is mounted on a cylindrical lower base portion  24 , which together, provide a rugged, secure, airtight and watertight exterior structure. In particular, the base portion  24  extends upwardly and includes a radially extending L-shaped flange  26 , which is slightly larger in diameter than the depending flange  22  on the spherical element  20  in the upper and lower portions  20  and  24 , respectively, meet at the flanges  22  and  26 , and are secured by an appropriate adhesive or gasket  30  to provide a complete watertight housing. The lower cylindrical body portion  24  also extends, slightly above the flange  26 , inwardly and upwardly in a continuing cylindrical portion  34  into the center of the transparent spherical portion  20 . The combination cylindrical elements  24  and  34  provide a housing for a cylindrical battery  36  shown mounted therein in FIG.  2 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the lower cylindrical portion  24  is closed by a cap  40 , fitted within a stepped opening  44  out the lower end to seal the bottom of the container. While the cap  40  is shown as a separate element to permit replacement of the battery, it could, of course, be manufactured integrally in the molding operation. A flexible gasket  46  adjacent the upper side of the end cap  40  is an engagement with a first metallic contact  48  which extends across the bottom of the battery  36 , and through an aperture  50 , in sidewell  24  so that it is exposed to the exterior, and in this case, contacts the fluid  12 . On the opposite side of the housing, a second electrical contact  52  extends through an aperture  54  in the housing at approximately 180 degrees from the other contact  48 . The contacts  48  and  52  both extend into the environment and in an electrical conductive liquid, such as water, provide an electrical connection between the two contacts. 
     The lower contact  48  as described above, engages the bottom element of the battery. The other contact  52  extends upwardly within the cylindrical element and engages a metallic socket  58  which holds a light source  60 , such as a bulb or light emitting diode. The metallic socket  58  is securely mounted within a top cap or end  62  of the inner cylindrical portion  34  and may also be mold integrally therewith to support the light bulb generally within the center of the spherical portion  20 . The lower end of the light bulb includes a contact  66  which engages a metal spring-like or flexible contact  68  mounted in engagement with the top cap  70  of the battery as shown in FIG.  2 . In this fashion, electrical energy from the battery  36  passes through the top cap  70  and the contact  68  to the center of the bulb  60 . The electrical energy passes through the filament of the bulb  60  and out to the metallic base of the bulb and the socket  58  to the contact  52 . When in a liquid which conducts electricity, the electrical power passes from the electrical contact  52  through the liquid to the opposite contact  48  and into the base of the battery  36 . In this fashion the battery lights the light-source  60  whenever the novelty device  10  is placed in an electrical conductive fluid. In fact, it is possible to light the light_bulb  60  by contacting the elements  48  and  52  with two fingers of the band to create the electrical connection. However, the contacts  48  and  52  do not extend outwardly of the cylindrical element  24 , and because they are on opposite sides of the novelty device, will never come into contact with a generally flat or straight conductive element which could turn on the light bulb and run down the power supply inadvertently. 
     An electrical diagram representing the circuitry as shown in FIG. 3 where the light bulb  60  is connected through the battery  36  to a contact  52  which is spaced from the opposite contact  48  and the circuit is completed by a fluid or other connection between the contacts  52  and  48 . The elegance and simplicity of the present invention, as well as the safety features are therefore apparent. The device will not inadvertently be energized outside of an electrically conductive environment and the novelty device is very sturdy and reliable providing a simple, singular function without internal complex elements. In the preferred embodiment as depicted, the device can be used in a liquid beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage, to provide a novel and pleasing appearance without affecting the taste of the beverage. Similarly, the device can be used in many situations where previously a candle or other complex device may have been required. For example, on walkways or stairways leading to a celebration, such as a wedding or the like, simple plastic transparent glasses can be used as guides by filling them with water and one of the novelty devices of the present invention. This provides a safe, appealing appearance but without the dangers and problems normally associated with candles which, obviously, can cause fire damage and may be hard to keep lighted in a windy environment. Similarly, the device of the present invention can be made in various shapes and sizes and can even be made, for example, in the shape of an ice cube and/or frozen within an ice cube to disguise the existence thereof. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as many modifications would be obvious to those skilled in the art.