Abstract:
A lighted purse which has an efficient light source, so as to prolong battery life. In one embodiment the purse includes a rechargeable battery for a purse light, and a recharging device such as a solar panel, so that the battery is recharged during normal use. The light source used is preferably a low temperature light source, such as a high efficiency miniature lamp bulb, or an electroluminescent strip. Also, a low voltage neon tube can also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the purse has an interior strip for distributing light, and at least one battery-powered light source. The interior strip preferably runs along the central interior bottom, sides, and top. For a zipper purse, the interior strip preferably runs along one side of the zipper. The interior strip is preferably attached to the purse interior using any conventional attachment means such as hook-and-loop fastener material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a purse having a light, to illuminate the interior of the purse.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is a known problem in the art to provide for illuminating of the interior of purses and handbags. There are many occassions where there is insufficient external lighting to see into the interior of a purse or handbag, such as outdoors at night or inside a movie theater.  
         [0003]     A number of patents are directed to the problem of illuminating the interior of purses and handbags. These include U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,142 to Weir; 5,934,790 to Quintana et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,132 to Hill; U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,232 to Burns et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,605 to Rivera; U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,677 to Willis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,443 to Ohrenstein et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,568 to Blue-Ricci.  
         [0004]     It is, however, a problem in the art to provide a device for providing sufficiently strong lighting within the interior of the purse or handbag, and distributing that light sufficiently within the purse so as to provide good visibility of the contents of the purse or handbag in a dark area.  
         [0005]     It is a further problem in the art to provide a lighted purse which has an efficient light source, so as to prolong battery life.  
         [0006]     It is another problem in the art to provide a rechargeable battery for a purse light, and to provide recharging means such as solar panels, so that the battery is recharged during normal use.  
         [0007]     It is also a problem in the art to provide an efficient yet practical arrangement of the light source within a lighted purse, having a shape, size, and location to facilitate the use of the light without interfering with normal and usual operation of the purse or handbag.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device and process are provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art.  
         [0009]     More particularly, the invention relates to a lighted purse which has an efficient light source, so as to prolong battery life. Additionally, the invention relates to a rechargeable battery for a purse light, and a recharging device such as a solar panel, so that the battery is recharged during normal use.  
         [0010]     The invention further contemplates use of a low temperature light source, such as a high efficiency miniature lamp bulb, or an electroluminescent strip. Also, a low voltage neon tube can also be used.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, which is preferred, the purse has an interior strip for distributing light, and at least one battery-powered light source. The interior strip preferably runs along the central interior bottom, sides, and top. For a zipper purse, the interior strip preferably runs along one side of the zipper. The interior strip is preferably attached to the purse interior using any conventional attachment means such as hook-and-loop fastener material.  
         [0012]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an interior lighting arrangement for a purse or handbag, with a purse shown in phantom outline, according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of a lighting strip construction for use in the interior lighting arrangement of  FIG. 1 , according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a power supply arrangement, having a solar panel and a rechargeable battery.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a switching device for selectively actuating the illumination source only when there is insufficient external light.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top elevational view of another kind of light source arrangement, with a purse or handbag shown in phantom outline.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 5 , disposed within a purse or handbag shown in phantom outline.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top elevational view of another embodiment of a light distribution member.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of the light distribution member of  FIG. 7 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side section view another embodiment of a light distribution member, having an electroluminescent layer.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a purse having a preferred embodiment of a light distribution member shown in phantom outline.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is side view of the purse of  FIG. 10 , showing a pair of light distributing members in phantom outline.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional view schematically showing a light distribution strip and hook-and-loop fastener material used to attached the light distribution strip to the interior of a purse or handbag.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a top elevational view of a further preferred light source arrangement, with a purse or handbag shown in phantom outline.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a top elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a view of a still further light source arrangement, showing a schematic perspective view of a purse in phantom outline with a single side annular ring which carries a plurality of lamps therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an interior lighting arrangement for a purse or handbag, with a purse P shown in phantom outline. The purse P includes a handle portion, which can instead be a strap or other member facilitating handling of the purse P, or the handle portion can be omitted entirely. The purse P is preferably closed at the top by a zipper, and other closure devices can also be used such a clasp or snap fastener, hook-and-loop fastener material, or other closure means.  
         [0030]     An illumination strip  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 , having a U shaped body having a wall  12 , and carrying two lamps  14 ,  16  therein. A power supply  24  energizes the lamp  14  via a wire  20 . The power supply is preferably a battery such as a watch battery or a cell phone battery, or a standard type such as AAA or AA sized batteries, for example. The lamp  16  is likewise energized by the power supply  24  via a wire which is not shown for the sake of clarity. A switch  26  is provided for actuation of the lamps  14  and  16 . For example, the switch  26  can be a simple spring-actuated member actuated by opening of the purse, or can be a more sophisticated member which senses capacitance, magnetic field, or changes in light level. While two lamps  14  and  16  are shown by way of illustration, it will be understood that a single lamp could instead be used, and that more than two lamps can be used, without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0031]     The light source, shown as lamps  14  and  16 , may instead or in addition, include any one or combination of light emitting means, including but not limited to fluorescent lights, incandescent bulbs, electroluminescent sheets, light emitting diodes, halogen bulbs, and the like.  
         [0032]     The light distributing member  10  is preferably a translucent layer which is preferably constructed of a translucent polymeric sheet. The light distributing member  10  can include other layers, including filter material, reflective material on one side to redirect light toward the interior of the purse or handbag, paint, ink, or any other light filtering means that permits selective transmission of one or more desired wavelengths of visible light through the light distributing member  10  in areas where there is no blocking material or reflective layer. Further, the light distributing member  10  can be comprised of a combination of translucent sheets, paint, ink, or any combination thereof, as well as grooves, corrugations, notches, and other light distributing enhancements. It will be understood that the term “translucent layer” herein can refer to a single layer or multiple layers of transparent or colored material, with a single color or a plurality of different colors, as long as light passes through such translucent layer.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of a specific type of lighting strip construction for the wall  12  of the light distributing member  10  of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the wall  12  has a reflective layer or coating  15   a  on one side, for redirecting light toward the interior of the purse, thereby increasing the available light and minimizing power requirements. An additional layer or coating  15   b  may optionally be applied on the opposite side of wall  12 , for example the coating  15   b  can be a color filter material forming indicia such as a name or a message, or can be composed of reflective material. The layer or coating  15   a  can be, for example, an aluminized layer common in mirrors and mirrored surfaces, or reflective aluminum foil, or can simply be a white sheet of material such as paper or cardboard.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a power supply arrangement  40 , having a solar panel  21 , a solar power converter  30 , and a rechargeable battery  24   a . The components of this arrangement can be selected from any well known types. The solar panel  21  can, in this embodiment, be formed as a side wall or top wall of the purse or handbag; if the solar panel  21  is composed of a relatively flexible material, it can form the outermost surface of the purse or handbag, or can be covered by a transparent or translucent outer layer of the purse to protect the solar panel  21  from soiling. The solar panel  21  can thus form either a part of the visible surface area of the purse or handbag, or can even form almost the entire visible surface area of the purse or handbag.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a switching device  26  of  FIG. 1 . In this alternative embodiment, the switching device includes a photoelectric detector in addition to the mechanical switch, which senses light level. If the light level is above a certain predetermined cutoff limit, such as for sensed strong ambient light such as exist in open daylight, the circuit is open so that power is not supplied to the lamps. This is to conserve energy when there is no need for the interior lighting of the purse. Thus, the member  70  is for selectively actuating the illumination source only when there is insufficient external light.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a top elevational view of another kind of light source arrangement, with a purse or handbag shown in phantom outline. In this figure, a tube-shaped light source  80  is disposed around the upper interior periphery of the purse P, and is supported by brackets  86 . The tube-shaped light source  80  is preferably a high efficiency, lower voltage neon light having terminal ends  83 ,  84 . A neon or flourescent tube power supply  82  is provided to one end of the light source  80 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 5 , disposed within a purse P shown in phantom outline. The supports  86  are shown clearly in profile in phantom view, and the location of the light source  80  along the uppermost portion is also clear from this view.  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a top elevational view of another embodiment of a light distribution member  120  having a bottom wall  122 , sidewalls  121 , and a pyramidal light reflection surface  126  for internally reflecting and distributing light in conjunction with a light source and support shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a side sectional view of the light distribution member  120  of  FIG. 7 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 . In this view, a light source  130  is provided directing illumination toward the pyramidal light reflection surface  126 . The light source  130  is supported within a well  134  formed in a translucent cylindrical member  132  which has a lowermost surface mating with the pyramidal light reflection surface  126 . The mating surfaces cause light transmission to disperse throughout the interior of the light distribution member  120 , and thereby dispersing light throughout the interior of the purse P shown in phantom outline in  FIG. 8 . A power supply  138  is shown providing energy to the lamp  130  via power cord  131 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a side section view another embodiment of a light distribution member, having an electroluminescent layer  140  and a translucent light distribution member  122  having a jagged notch  148  therein for diffusing and dispersing light exiting from the layer  122 . A thin layer, film or coating  142  is preferably applied to one side of the layer  140 , as a reflective member to redirect light in the direction of the arrows L shown in this figure.  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a purse having a preferred embodiment of a light distribution member  150  shown in phantom outline. The light distribution member  150  preferably runs along the bottom and both sidewalls of the purse P, as well as along the underside of the uppermost portion of the purse P. As seen in  FIG. 10 , the purse P has a closure member Z which is preferably a zipper. The zipper Z runs preferably along the center of the top panel of the purse P.  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is side view of the purse of  FIG. 10 , showing a pair of light distributing members  150  in phantom outline. Either one of the light distribution members  150  can be omitted, or both can be provided, each such light distribution member  150  running along one side of the zipper Z of the purse P.  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional view schematically showing a light distribution strip  150  and a hook-and-loop fastener material  158  used to attached the light distribution strip  150  to the interior of a purse P. The interior of the purse P can be composed of material which is readily engageable with the hook-and-loop fastener material  158 , such as an open weave fabric, or it can include attached patches of material engageable with the hook-and-loop fastener material  158 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a top elevational view of a further preferred light source arrangement  180 , which is similar in function to the light source  80 , with a purse or handbag shown in phantom outline. The light source arrangement  180  is a preferred embodiment, and carries a plurality of individual lamps  181 . While a specific number and arrangement of such lamps  181  is shown, it will be understood that any number of such lamps  181  can be used, either lesser or greater in number than those shown, within the scope of the present invention. The lamps  181  may be embedded with the light source arrangement  180 , in which case the light source arrangement  180  will be composed of transparent or translucent material. Alternatively, the lamps  181  may be disposed or arranged along a surface of the light source arrangement  180 , in which case the light source arrangement  180  can be composed of any suitable material including opaque materials. The lamps  181  may be incandescent bulbs, neon bulbs, or LEDs of any color, and can be wired either in series, in parallel, or separately. The wiring is omitted in this figure, but would be well within the ambit of one skilled in the illumination arts.  
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is a top elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 13 , showing a light source arrangement  180   a  having a somewhat rounded shape. All other aspects of the light source arrangement  180   a  are as described hereinabove with regard to  FIG. 13 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 15  is a top elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the light source arrangement of  FIG. 13 , showing a light source arrangement  180   b  having a circular shape. All other aspects of the light source arrangement  180   b  are as described hereinabove with regard to  FIG. 13 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 16  is a view of a still further light source arrangement, showing a schematic perspective view of a purse P′ in phantom outline having somewhat rounded sides, so that its overall shape is generally cylindrical. A single side annular ring  182  is shown mounted at one end of the purse P′ and which carries a plurality of lamps therein. The annular ring  182  is similar in function and structure to the light source arrangement  180  of  FIG. 13 , but has an annular shape instead of being flat.  
         [0048]     It will be understood that the present invention contemplates use of a plurality of such annular rings  182  either along the sides, top, or bottom of a purse. It will be further understood that the present invention contemplates use of a plurality of light source arrangements  180 ,  180   a , and/or  180   b  either along the sides, top, or bottom of a purse. All such variations are within the ambit of one having ordinary skill in the lighting arts.  
         [0049]     The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.