EP1524931B1 - Support - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, an attractive appearance for vessels placed on a support, for example full drinks glasses, may be achieved, whereby a support for a number of light-conducting vessels is used which comprises a light source for injection of light into the light-conducting vessels.

Description

The invention relates to a pedestal.

For example, in the catering outlets or at any celebrations, coasters are often used to put vessels on it. These vessels are to be understood in particular as drinking glasses of any kind.

Especially in the dark, a visually very pleasing effect can be achieved by illuminating the liquid in the vessel. Also, this makes it easier to detect such a vessel in the dark.

In light of this, DE 299 19 755 U1 proposes a saucer for a drinking vessel, which has a lighting means. Thus, a lit coaster or an illuminated drinking glass is created. DE 299 18 185 U1 even proposes to integrate a lighting means in a bottle or drinking glass.

A disadvantage of the proposals in the prior art is that the devices can be stolen easily. In a catering operation or at a ceremony, it is not possible to keep such a close overview of the staff that such an action would most likely be discovered. The consequences of several stolen devices are therefore particularly annoying for the operator of the catering, because the proposed devices are probably much higher in price than conventional "beer mats".

In another approach, US 4,446,508 shows a holder in which drinking glasses are placed on an absorbent mat. On the holder, a light source is provided, which ensures that the edges of the holder light up.

Compared to this holder, the task results to achieve a very good illumination and at the same time to deal with the - in a tablet forcibly only limited available - energy more economical.

Illuminations associated with drinking glasses are still known. Thus, US Pat. No. 2,114,460 shows a drinking glass holder, in particular for permanent installation in automobiles. The holder is an area for advertising provide, this area can be subtly illuminated from a bottom. US Pat. No. 4,254,452 proposes a drinking glass holder which can be used as a loose accessory in automobiles, in particular motorhomes. The holder should be used as a tray and take in addition to drinking glasses, for example, ashtrays. To prevent slippage, a holder is mounted above the actual tray. Under the holder light sources are arranged, which ensure an indirect illumination of the tray.

The invention has for its object to be able to provide the desired effect described in the catering to the customer with low cost and at the same time to prevent the excessive theft of the lighting coasters.

This object is achieved by a subset according to the subject of the main claim.

The inventive finding lies in the fact that there are coasters in the restaurant also for parking several glasses at once. These coasters are rarely given by the staff from the hand. Above all, these are rectangular and round glass trays or carriers or a special holder for, for example, eleven linearly lined glasses, referred to as "one meter of beer" in restaurants in the Rhineland. Also countless other coasters or carrying devices for glasses or the like come into consideration. In this respect, the invention is just starting from the known from the prior art solutions, according to which individually per glass a small, portable light source is provided.

Even if staff relinquishes this kind of coasters and entrusts them to a guest or a multitude of guests at a table, coasters for a plurality of glasses are compulsorily large and bulky, which makes it difficult to steal unauthorized coasters. Therefore, a large and bulky coaster can also be expensive and relatively expensive, for example, by integrating a light source.

It should be noted that the concept of a photoconductive vessel should be widely understood. Above all, although drinking glasses are addressed. The expression is also intended to include plastic lenses, glasses and other vessels consisting only partially of glass and / or plastic. It is essential that the vessels from the subset coupled specifically, untargeted, bundled and / or unbundled coupled light and so steered or scattered again can radiate that it emerges from a person in a conventional use of the vessel, especially from the side, visible. For example, a plurality of conventional Koelsch glasses can be lit on a base according to the invention. The pedestal is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or a solid type of plastic, and includes a circuit having an electric light source. Thus, the electronics can be completely isolated to the outside. The base should be translucent as well as the vessels at least on a part of the surface in order to decouple or couple light can.

If Kölsch glasses are filled, for example, with beer or even a cocktail glass or long drink glass with any beverage and placed on the invented saucer, they light up, for example, with a light shade or simply bright white. This awakens, among other things, the drinking stimuli of the consumer

The subset according to the invention can be characterized in that it has one or preferably a plurality of switches. In this case, a single switch in particular manually switched on and off. However, the switch can also be switched by the fact that at least one vessel is placed on the pedestal. In the case of a "meter of beer", the switch can in particular be switched by placing a certain number of glasses, for example one, every eleven or any predeterminable number therebetween, on the pedestal. This can be determined, for example, by a series connection of switching contacts or by the total weight of the vessels. The invention also achieves a very striking effect when a central switch is provided on a carrying handle of the pedestal, for example a "meter of beer" tray, so that the light is automatically switched on when the pedestal is carried. In particular, a switch on the carrying handle can be connected in parallel with other switches.

For example, several switches can be arranged so that vessels switch individually by their presence or absence on certain vessel surfaces switch. In this case, light coupling surfaces assigned in particular to the vessel surfaces may be present for coupling light emitted by a light source into the vessels parked on the respectively assigned vessel surfaces. If the consumer now raises a glass in order to drink a sip, the light source, for example a power light-emitting diode, can be switched off again or at least directed such that at least substantially no light escapes from the cooking surface, in particular at the light coupling surface. After drinking, the glass is turned off and lit again until the glass is empty; then, for example, it may automatically stop lighting when the switch is switched by weight and its sensitivity is tuned to the weight of an associated lens. This, too, can be realized very well, especially with the "meter of beer", because here the shape, weight and number of glasses are precisely specified.

It is advantageous if the pedestal has means for generating a directed perpendicular to a main direction of extension or a main plane of light beam. A main direction of extension has in particular the special carrier for the "meter of beer". Other substantially flat trays have a main plane horizontally when the tray is in use orientation. The vessels are often symmetrical with positioning of their axis of symmetry perpendicular to the main direction of extension or to the main plane when they stand on the pedestal. The proposed Lichtlenk- or -richtmittel the light can be coupled as symmetrical as possible in the vessels.

An inventive subset looks particularly pleasing and protects the light source particularly well from damage when the light source is disposed within the pedestal.

The invention has several Gefaßstellflächen. The more vessel surfaces a pedestal has, the larger and bulkier the pedestal. Due to the size of a theft security is achieved. On the other hand, more space can be made available for the lighting device. Thus, a light source with a light distributor, multiple light sources with light distributors or one or more light sources without light distributor can be accommodated relatively freely. In particular, large batteries, rechargeable batteries or other voltage or current sources can readily be provided in a large pedestal, for example in a carrying handle, which is hardly possible with small coasters which only carry a glass. In this way, the cost of an energy source can be kept within limits, so that the subset according to the invention remains affordable as a mass product.

If a light distributor is provided, it is proposed that this distributes the emitted light of a light source to a plurality of designated vessel surfaces and decouples them there for coupling into the vessels from the base. As a result, several vessels can share the energy of a light source and so advantageously a part of the required energy can be saved.

The bigger the pedestal, the more bulky it is not only; Similarly, the lighting may also tend to increase as the number of vessel surfaces increases be provided more economically.

For example, a vessel footprint may have a diameter of about four to nine centimeters for a glass.

Regardless of the number of vessel shelves, it is advantageous if the subset according to the invention has means for holding the vessels against an unlimited movement parallel to the main extension direction or parallel to the main plane. This can be in particular round versions. Such versions are in the "meter of beer", as well as in many round trays before, partly below the pedestal - at Gefaßstellftächen - and sometimes at a certain height to the footprint - for example, in about five to ten centimeters in height to a set vessel far to be able to lead upstairs. As a result of the holding means, the position of a vessel to be dropped is quite accurately specified. A switch or the light coupling surface can therefore do without large excess connected to the switch or illuminated surfaces and instead be tuned to the relatively precise predetermined position. In particular, a good light coupling into the respective glass or, in the respective glasses can be ensured in this way without further notice. Thus, costs can be saved in the production.

A side effect of the invention is that a lettering can be illuminated by the beverage manufacturer or is lit up. Here is also an advertising effect possible. This concerns on the one hand a possible lettering on the pedestal and on the other hand a lettering on or in the respective glass.

The invention thus includes all illuminations of beverages in glasses or plastic glasses by a provided for a plurality of glasses or plastic glass saucer.

In the foreground of the invention are the advertising media, such as e.g. the manufacturers of long drink, beer or cocktail drinks, the lettering, logos, etc. apply to glasses. Now it even succeeds in bringing the company logos closer to the consumer through targeted lighting of the drinks in order to make the sale of drinks, especially in bars, discos, VIP areas and events, all more attractive. In addition, drinks, if they are radiant or enlightened, are more attractive. The side effect of enhancing the advertising medium with bulbs is also evident in a hot ash receptacle with a light source. Above all, here is thought of a table ashtray.

Hot ash can easily cause damage to tables etc. or even burn injuries. Therefore, it is particularly important to be able to dispose of hot ashes completely in designated, provided against glowing receptacles. For example, the ashes of cigarettes, cigars and similar smoking products must be completely knockable in ashtrays. If the ashes are only partially adjacent to the ashtray, this can easily lead to the described damage or injury. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous for a receptacle for hot ashes, if this has at least one illuminated part surface.

This can preferably be ensured by coupling a light guide body to the light source. In particular, the light-conducting body can be a circulating diffuser-emitting guide body which surrounds the actual collecting surface for the hot ashes.

Figur 1

in einer schematischen perspektivischen Ansicht ein Glas auf einer Gefaßstellfläche, welche Teil eines Tabletts ist, und

Figur 2

in einer schematischen perspektivischen Ansicht ein als "Meter Bier" oder "Getränkemeter" bezeichnetes Spezialtablett mit elf Gefäßabstelltlächen und einem zentralen Schalter an einem Tragegriff.

The invention will be further explained by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. The same reference numerals in different figures may represent identical elements. In the drawing show

FIG. 1

in a schematic perspective view of a glass on a Gefaßstellfläche, which is part of a tray, and

FIG. 2

in a schematic perspective view of a "meter beer" or "Getränkemeter" designated special tray with eleven Gefäßabstelltlächen and a central switch on a carrying handle.

The vessel positioning surface 1 in FIG. 1 is identical in its size to a glass bottom 2 of the glass 3 which stands on the tray (not shown beyond the boundaries of the vessel positioning surface 1). Realized by a fused electronic circuit 4, the footprint 1 is illuminated when a membrane switch 5 is loaded.

The circuit 4 consists except the membrane switch 5 only of a battery 6, a light emitting diode 7 and these components connecting wires (exemplified by 8).

While in the embodiment in Figure 1, the membrane switch 5 is switched on pressure on a bottom 9 of the tablet - for example, if the staff the tray accidentally just below the footprint 1 attacks, in other variants, a switch, in particular on a top 10 of the tablet, be executed as part of the footprint 1.

The light from the LED is centered on the center of the lens to provide even illumination of the drink with a separate attachment. For this purpose, a gel foil gel is melted in the tray. Alternatively, the LED 7 may also be arranged centered below the footprint 1.

A beverage carrier ring, for example, has at certain intervals as Glaseinsetzvorrichtungen trained shelves in which find a glass or more glasses space. At a bottom of the beverage ring is located in a closed and openable to change the battery cavity built-in electronic circuit, and bulbs are located under each Glaseinsetzvorrichtung to achieve a centered lighting. On an edge gripping surface in a gripping recess of the tray bottom there is a central pushbutton, which illuminates all shelves when pressed. At the same time, a light-conducting tablet edge body is illuminated so that this diffuse light radiates.

In the beverage meter 40 in Figure 2, the same principle as in the beverage carrier ring is used. The difference lies in the fact that the glasses are not in a circle to each other, but are arranged one behind the other. On the carrying handle 41, the central switch (not shown) is mounted. This may be a pushbutton switch so that the beverage meter 40 automatically lights up when carried to the table. Alternatively and cumulatively, however, the switch can also be manually relocatable, so that the staff can leave the illumination of the shelves (exemplarily numbered 42), for example with incandescent lamps, individual LEDs or a central LED, switched off on the table. With this variant, it is possible in particular to provide a number of individual keys corresponding to the shelves (numbered 43 by way of example), which only illuminate shelves 42 on which a filled glass is standing. For this purpose, the threshold switching force of the button 43 has the slight correspond to reduced weight of a filled glass of the relevant type. The glasses are set in round sockets (numbered 44 by way of example), as a result of which the shelves 42 can be determined very precisely. A voltage source 45 is mounted laterally outside the beverage meter 40 because the beverage meters 40 are traditionally made of wood and thus there is no accessible cavity for housing the voltage source 45. By the lateral arrangement, the voltage source 45 is largely protected from leaking or splashing fluid from the glasses.

Of course, it is also generally possible to apply the invention to any Abstellbereiche, even if no Glascinsetzvorrichtungen are explicitly specified. In particular, this is possible by arranging many small areas, each with its own switches and own light sources, which preferably directly adjoin one another. Instead of switches, all other measures can be used with which a light source can be switched on or off. In particular, these may be sensors, such as light or heat sensitive sensors, which respond to the presence of a glass.

The switches or sensors, as explained, can be provided individually for each individual glass insert device in interaction with a beverage carrier ring or meter. Likewise, a common switch can be used.

Alternatively, it would also be possible to use a common light source for this idea if the separate areas each have their own means of directing the light. By way of example, this could be used on a counter surface or on a conventional beverage tray.

Depending on the design of the light sources or the sensor means may also be provided which measure on a surface where a glass is and then provide exactly in this area for an illumination by the underside of the glass. For this For example, a similar technology could be used as with touch-sensitive flat screens.

It is also possible to selectively activate the light source by external measures. For example, such activation could be by induction.

For the lighting of ashtrays is essentially the same principle as in the illuminated sub-sets. Core is a preferably melted electronics in the ashtray with a bulb on Aschenbechexbodezt or on the edge of the ashtray.

Claims (7)

1. Tray (40) for a plurality of light-conducting drinking glasses with a lengthy shape of the tray, which has linearly lined up apertures for drinking glasses (42) with a lengthy shape of the tray for at least five or more, more preferable eleven apertures for drinking glasses wherein the sockets for the drinking glasses have round shapes (44) in order to protect the drinking glasses against an unlimited movement parallel to the main direction of the tray wherein the sockets are lined up parallel to the apertures for drinking glasses and with at least one light source to provide the light-conducting drinking glasses with light originating from the lower side of the drinking glasses.
2. Tray according to claim 1 characterized in that one or preferably more switches are provided.
3. Tray according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that a means to produce a lightbeam that is oriented vertically to a main direction or a main plane is provided.
4. Tray according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at least a portion of the surface is translucent.
5. Tray according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the light source is located inside the tray.
6. Tray according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that a light distributor for the distribution of light originating from a light source of emitted light to a plurality of apertures for drinking glasses is provided.
7. Tray according to claim 6 characterized in that the tray is provided with only one light source.

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