EP2767195A1 - Glass container with integrated illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

The glass container has an integrated illuminant (10), a control unit (9), a sensor device with an acceleration sensor (11), an energy supply unit (8), and a blind hole (12), in which the illuminant is incorporated, where the color of the light emitted by the illuminant is changed during the operation of the illuminant. The control unit is connected with the sensor device and the illuminant such that the acceleration of the glass container detected by the acceleration sensor leads to a color change of the light emitted by the illuminant.

Description

The invention relates to a glass vessel with an integrated light source, which can change the color of its emitted light, wherein the power supply functions wirelessly. The invention is particularly suitable for the realization of illuminated drinking glasses, such. As wine or beer glasses, but also of glasses in use with a beverage vending machines to color-coded the drink.

Glass containers with decorative lighting are already known from the prior art.

So describes US 5 211 699 A a drinking glass, which ensures by means arranged in a cavity below the glass LEDs for entertaining lighting effects, the light is coupled into the glass wall and coupled to ornamental structures of the glass wall again. The power supply of the LEDs works via a battery; a mercury switch allows an automatic switch off as soon as the glass is upside down.

EP 0 951 852 A1 and US 6,352,352 B1 each describe an illuminated drinking glass, in which a battery-operated light source is arranged in a blind hole in the foot of the glass. The battery is rechargeable, with charging via contacts protruding from the base of the tumbler.

Also, glass vessels with lighting are already known, the bulbs are fed wirelessly with energy.

So will in DE 202 11 408 U1 an illuminated, transparent vessel, such. As a beer glass described, which can be illuminated by means of light emitting diodes having a highly limited spectral range. The light emitting diodes are powered by accumulators, which are charged via contacts or alternatively contactless (inductive).

DE 20 2006 003 279 U1 shows an at least one LED containing lighting or. Light effect body, the z. B. has the shape of a drinking vessel, a carafe or a bottle. The light effect body contains at least one induction coil which serves to supply energy to the at least one LED. A primary coil, which serves to feed energy into the induction coil, z. B. be integrated in a tablecloth, a saucer, a plate or a foil.

US 5,624,177 A describes an illuminated ring, which is attachable to the foot of a glass.

All these vessels have in common that the color of the emitted light is determined by the lamps used.

US 2005/0078472 A1 describes a lit wine cooler whose color can be set by the user or which performs an automatic change of light color.

It would be desirable to have a glass jar that can change color, for example triggered by actions of its user.

The invention has for its object to find a glass vessel with an integrated, inductively supplied with light bulbs, which can change the color depending on external influences and is characterized by an improved feed of the light emitted by the light bulb into the glass of the glass vessel. The glass vessel should also be relatively inexpensive to produce.

The object of the invention is solved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and uses of the invention will become apparent from the claims 2 to 12.

The starting point is a glass vessel (the term glass vessel should also include vessels made of any transparent materials, such as transparent plastic; In addition, other transparent objects are also conceivable) with an integrated light source (the term bulbs should also include a plurality of discretely designed light bulbs). The luminous means is powered by a power supply unit, which has an integrated power receiving unit, wirelessly, preferably inductively, ie using each of an energy transmitting unit with a transmitting coil and a power receiving unit with a receiving coil with energy. The energy transmission unit can, for. B. be integrated in a table, a tablecloth, a tray or a coaster. For the energy receiving unit to be able to supply the light source with energy, it must be brought close to an energy end unit.

The glass vessel also has a control unit and a sensor device connected thereto. The sensor device may have one or more sensors, but at least one of the sensors is an acceleration sensor. For example, a position sensor and / or an acoustic sensor in the form of a microphone can be integrated in the sensor device. The control unit is configured such that it can control the lighting means in response to received sensor signals. For example, the control unit may cause the light source to flash depending on a background noise, similar to a light organ.

According to the invention, the glass vessel has a blind hole into which at least 50%, preferably 85 to 100%, of the light-emitting surface (luminous surface) of the luminous means is introduced in such a way that it faces (the luminous surface) the surface of the blind hole ). Under a blind hole is a hole, such. As a hole to understand that does not completely penetrate the workpiece, so has a certain depth (ie, the blind hole ends in the material).

Although an optimal light coupling into the glass vessel would be achieved if 100% of the luminous area are arranged in the blind hole so that they face the surface of the blind hole. However, this is often not possible for geometric reasons, since z. B. the back (from which most of the leads are led out) of light-emitting diodes with a transparent plastic housing while a luminous surface, However, this is not even the surface of the blind hole opposite, when the entire head of the LED is in the blind hole. But if at least 50% (usually it is anyway more) of the luminous surface of the surface of the blind hole is opposite, in the glass containers according to the invention compared to glass vessels, in which the light source (the luminous area) only in front of a surface (in which no blind hole is formed) the glass vessel is placed, a significantly improved coupling of the light generated by the light source in the glass (the glass vessel) is reached, thus increasing the intensity of the lighting effects caused.

The blind hole is preferably produced in the production of the glass vessel by pressing a (suitably shaped) mandrel into the still soft glass mass. However, it would also be conceivable to introduce the blind hole into the glass vessel after the manufacture of the glass vessel by conventional machining methods (eg by drilling, milling or laser machining).

In order to further improve the coupling of the light emitted by the lamp by an increased scattering in the inevitably between the luminous surfaces and the opposing surfaces of the blind hole forming air gap (due to total reflection occurring) is avoided, the air gap with a transparent potting compound, for , B. with epoxy resin, are filled. The refractive index of the potting compound is preferably chosen such that it is approximately that of the material of the glass vessel or approximately that of the material from which the luminous surfaces are formed (for example that of the plastic of the plastic housing of a light-emitting diode used as a light source), or Value from the range bounded by the respective refractive indices of the two materials.

As a lighting means, a light emitting diode, preferably an organic light emitting diode (OLED) can be used. The head of the LED is then (practically) completely inserted into the blind hole. Since light emitting diodes are characterized by a high degree of efficiency and consume less energy than other light sources with the same light output, they can be operated with cost-effective energy-receiving units and energy-emitting units with comparatively low powers. The energy receiving units can also be made smaller, which simplifies their integration into the glass vessel according to the invention.

According to the invention, the glass vessel has a luminous means, which can change the color of its emitted light, and (at least) an acceleration sensor. The control unit is connected to the light source and the acceleration sensor and is configured such that it can control the light source in response to received sensor signals. In particular, it may be provided to change the light color as a function of the accelerations acting on the glass. Such accelerations may be caused by the user of the glass vessel, for example, by abutment with the glass and / or lifting and / or tilting of the glass vessel. Thus, for example, the glass may be lit in a quiescent state with a given color and, e.g. fast or jerky motion changes its color. It can also be provided that the glass vessel in a stationary position constantly changes its color and shines when exposed to an acceleration in a given color.

The light source, the control unit, the sensor device and the energy supply unit with energy receiving unit are usually integrated in the glass vessel and sealed liquid-tight, d. h., The glass vessel including light source, control unit, sensor device and power supply unit is dishwasher safe. The usual functional footprint should be preserved; For wine glasses z. B. the footprint be shaped so that the foot of the wine glass, when he stands on a flat surface, rests only in the edge region (and not with the entire surface of the foot). This prevents the wineglass from soaking wet on wet surfaces.

Preferably, the glass vessel is colored in the region in which the energy supply unit, the control unit, the sensor device and the luminous means are integrated so that at least the non-luminous components are concealed (ie not or hardly visible).

In order to achieve a watertight and dishwasher-proof sealing of the luminous means, the control unit, the sensor device and the energy supply unit, the blind hole is usually arranged in a depression in the glass vessel. The recess completely houses the lighting means, the control unit, the sensor device and the power supply unit, d. h., the recess is chosen so large that all components completely fit into the recess.

In an advantageous embodiment of the glass vessel according to the invention, a peripheral collar (a circumferential bulge in the manner of a cornice) is formed below the edge of the depression, on which a cover plate, usually by gluing (eg by means of a UV-curing adhesive) it is appropriate that the recess is sealed watertight (dishwasher safe). The circumferential collar and the cover plate are preferably made of glass; The circumferential collar can be easily formed already during the production of the glass vessel.

In an alternative embodiment, the energy supply unit arranged in the recess, the control unit, the sensor device and the illuminant are formed by (complete) pouring out the recess with a, for. As UV-curing, sealing compound sealed liquid-tight.

In particular, if it is the glass vessel to a drinking glass, z. B. is a wine, beer or latte Macchiato glass, the best lighting effects are achieved when the depression in the area of the footprint of the glass vessel (ie in the foot or bottom of the glass vessel) is.

The energy supply unit with integrated energy receiving unit can be realized as a board, wherein the receiving coil of the power receiving unit can be realized in the form of (printed) conductor tracks. Alternatively, the receiving coil of the energy receiving unit on the glass vessel, usually in the region of the bottom / the base of the vessel, applied (preferably printed). The coil can also be applied externally (and visibly) on the glass in the form of a decorative element.

The power supply unit in the glass vessel can be connected to an accumulator or a capacitor, for. As a so-called. SuperCap be equipped to emit energy to the light source as soon as the energy receiving unit does not provide sufficient energy to operate the light source or to provide sufficient luminosity of the light source. In this way, the glass vessel is also illuminated for a while, if it from the transmission range of the energy transmission station, z. B. by removing it from a table equipped with a power station, is removed.

In order to achieve attractive lighting effects, the glass vessel may have structured and / or roughened areas which serve to decouple the light emitted by the illuminant from the glass vessel. The preparation of such roughened areas by sandblasting has proved to be particularly advantageous.

The control unit of the glass vessel may further comprise a remote control receiving unit and be configured such that the lighting means wireless, z. B. by an infrared or radio control, by mobile phone or a command transmitted via WLAN, can be turned on and off. Since, according to the invention, a luminous means is used which can change its color (for example a multicolored light-emitting diode), it is likewise provided that the color of the luminous means can also be changed remotely via the control unit. For example, a special event can be accompanied in this way in a restaurant by the simultaneous irradiation of all glasses in the same color.

According to the invention, the glass vessel (at least) comprises an acceleration sensor, which sends a signal to the control unit whenever the glass vessel experiences a change in movement. In addition to the acceleration sensor, the glass vessel can also have a position sensor or a position switch which reacts to a change in the orientation of the glass vessel with respect to the vertical. The control unit can be configured such that the light source is switched on or off whenever a signal is transmitted by the position sensor. For example, that can Light source is always switched on or off when the position of the glass vessel, z. B. by turning or tilting, assumes a predefined state, for example, if it is turned upside down or hung upside down in a holding device. It can also be provided that the luminous means changes the color or the intensity of the emitted light when a signal is transmitted by the position sensor. For example, when using the glass jar as a drinking glass, the light source may reduce the light intensity (ie only glow dimly) and / or change to a predetermined color (which indicates that the glass is not in use) when the glass is upside down or hanging.

Instead of stationary, wired energy transmission units, the glass vessel according to the invention can also be operated with a mobile energy transmission unit. Such an energy transmission unit is powered (instead of a power supply) via an accumulator with power. For a meaningful use of the accumulator should have sufficient capacity to one or more glass vessels over a longer period, eg. B. at least one hour to operate. The mobile energy transmission unit may in turn have a power reception unit with which its accumulator can be charged by a stationary energy transmission unit. The mobile energy transmission unit may be in virtually any form, e.g. B. as a sculpture, as a tablecloth or as a coaster, be made.

As an alternative or supplement to operation with a mobile energy end unit, the glass vessel according to the invention may be equipped with a SuperCap having such a large (electrical) capacity that the glass vessel, after it (its SuperCap / accumulator), is attached to a stationary power transmission unit alone, (ie without a mobile energy unit) for a sufficiently long time, e.g. B. for at least 1 hour, can be operated. To save the SuperCap or accumulator (the duration of the illumination of the glass vessel is not unnecessarily shortened), the glass vessel with a switching device, eg. B. a position switch, which always turns off the bulb of the glass vessel when it is not needed. For example, the location switch can turn off the glass vessel whenever it is turned on its head. In addition to use as, for example, wine or beer glass, the glass vessel according to the invention can also be used as a drinking glass for a drinks vending machine, for example a coffee machine. The coffee machines used as a beverage dispenser are usually coffee machines (espresso machines), which in conjunction with coffee glasses, such as. B. latte macchiato glasses, operated. The light bulb integrated in the drinking glass is preferably supplied with energy by an energy receiving unit, ie inductively, ie by using an energy transmitting unit with a transmitting coil. The energy transmission unit is integrated in this case in the drinks vending machine. In order to guarantee that the drinking glass still lights up after being removed from the drinks vending machine, the energy supply unit in the glass vessel must be equipped with an accumulator or a condenser.

Fig. 1a:

ein erfindungsgemäßes Weinglas mit Beleuchtung;

Fig. 1b:

eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht des Standbereichs des Weinglases;

Fig. 2:

einen Tisch mit integrierter Energiesendeeinheit sowie darauf angeordneter mobiler Energiesendeeinheit und Weingläsern;

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittansicht eines beleuchteten Kaffeeglases;

Fig. 4

eine Kaffeemaschine mit einem darauf angeordneten Kaffeeglas.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to two embodiments; show:

Fig. 1a:

an inventive wine glass with lighting;

Fig. 1b:

an enlarged sectional view of the standing area of the wine glass;

Fig. 2:

a table with integrated power transmission unit and mobile energy transmission unit and wine glasses arranged thereon;

3:

a sectional view of a lit coffee glass;

Fig. 4

a coffee machine with a coffee glass arranged thereon.

FIG. 1 A shows the exterior view of a lit wine glass with a foot 1, a style 2 and a goblet 3. For light extraction, the style 2 with roughened areas 4, which were made by sandblasting, provided. The stand surface 5 of the foot 1 has, as usual with wine glasses, an annular projection 6, which usually prevents the eyes of the wine glass from being wet on wet surfaces.

As in the cross section in Fig. 1b shown, located in the bottom of the foot 1 a recess 7, in which the power supply unit 8 with integrated Energy receiving unit (not shown), the control unit 9 and connected via electrical lines to the control unit 9 organic light emitting diode (OLED) 10 and an acceleration sensor 11 are housed. The power supply unit 8 is a board on which the power receiving unit (not shown) is arranged with a receiving coil realized in the form of printed circuit traces.

The acceleration sensor 11 responds to movement changes of the glass. The control unit 9 receives the signals of the acceleration sensor 11 and controls the OLED 10 in such a way that the color of the light emitted by the OLED 10 is changed in dependence on the signals of the acceleration sensor 11. Thus, in this example, the light color changes from yellow to green when the glass is picked up and lifted. However, if a rapid, jerky movement of the glass occurs, as occurs, for example, when it is triggered, the OLED 10 lights up red.

In the (here upwardly facing) bottom surface of the recess 7 is located in the region of the Stilansatzes a blind hole 12, which completely accommodates the head (filament) of the light-emitting diode 10. However, less than 100% of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode 10 is coupled into the glass, since the rear side of the light-emitting diode 10 (which is also a light-emitting surface) does not face the surface of the blind hole 12 (faces).

In the region of the upper edge of the recess 7 a simsartiger, circumferential collar 13 is formed, on which a glass plate 14 is adhered, whereby the recess 7 is waterproof (dishwasher safe) is closed. Possibly occurring corners or edges can be filled with grout 15. Alternatively, the glass plate 14 may also have exactly the required geometry. The geometry and the position of the glass plate 14 and the circumferential collar 13 are each chosen so that the annular projection 6 is maintained.

The wine glasses according to the invention can be used either in conjunction with a stationary energy transmission unit 16, which is integrated here in a table 17 (FIG. Fig. 2 ), or in conjunction with a mobile energy transmission unit 18 (FIG. Fig. 3 ), which take the form of a Sculpture has to be used. The mobile energy transmission unit 18 in turn has an integrated energy reception unit, which makes it possible to charge the mobile energy transmission unit 18 by means of the stationary energy transmission unit 16.

FIG. 3 shows a coffee glass with a bottom 1, a conical glass wall 20 and a filling space 3, which is formed by the bottom 1 and the glass wall 20. For light extraction, the glass wall 20 is provided with roughened areas 4, which were produced by sandblasting.

As in Fig. 3 shown, located in the bottom of the bottom 1 a recess 7, in which the power supply unit 8 and connected via electrical lines to the power supply unit 8 organic light-emitting diode 10 are housed. The power supply unit 8 is a circuit board, on which the receiving coil realized in the form of printed conductors (not shown) and an accumulator (not shown) are located, which supplies the light emitting diode 10 as soon as the energy supply unit 8 supplies no or too little energy. On the board, a sensor device with an acceleration sensor 11 is further arranged.

In the standing upright glass upwardly facing surface of the recess 7 is a blind hole 12 which receives the head of the light emitting diode 10 completely.

In the region of the upper edge of the recess 7 a simsartiger, circumferential collar 13 is formed, on which a glass plate 14 is adhered, whereby the recess 7 is waterproof (dishwasher safe) is closed. The geometry and the position of the glass plate 14 and the circumferential collar 13 are each selected so that an annular projection 6 is maintained, which largely prevents the coffee glass from soaking on a wet substrate.

The accumulators of coffee glasses are usually charged in a coffee machine 19 via an integrated into the coffee machine 19 energy end unit 16 ( Fig. 4 ), so that the coffee glasses are illuminated for a certain time after removal from the coffee machine 19 by means of the LED 10.

List of reference numbers used

1

Floor

2

style

3

filling space

4

roughened area

5

footprint

6

annular supernatant

7

deepening

8th

Power supply unit

9

control unit

10

Light source, organic light emitting diode

11

accelerometer

12

blind

13

circumferential collar

14

Plate, glass plate

15

potting compound

16

stationary energy transmission unit

17

table

18

mobile energy transmission unit

19

Vending machine, coffee machine

20

glass wall

Claims (12)

Glass vessel with an integrated light source (10) and a power supply unit (8) having an energy receiving unit for the reception of energy by means of an energy transmitting station (16, 18) inductively transmitted energy, characterized in that the color of the light emitted by the light source (10) during the operation of the lighting means (10) is variable, wherein the glass vessel a control unit (9), a sensor device comprising an acceleration sensor (11), and a blind hole (12) into which the lighting means (10) is introduced such that at least 50% of the light-emitting surface of the luminous means (10) of the blind hole (12) facing the surface of the glass vessel facing, wherein the control unit (9) connected to the sensor device and the lighting means (10) and is configured such that one with the acceleration sensor (11) detected acceleration of the glass vessel, triggered by its intended Benut tion, leads to a color change of the light emitted by the lamp (10). Glass vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting means is an organic light-emitting diode. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the control unit (9), the lighting means (10), the sensor device and the power supply unit (8) are sealed liquid-tight in the glass vessel. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the blind hole (12) is arranged in a depression (7) introduced into the glass vessel in the base surface (5), wherein the control unit (9), the lighting means (10), the sensor device and the energy supply unit (8) are arranged completely inside the depression (7), and below the edge of the depression a circumferential collar (13) is formed, on which a plate (14) covering the depression (7) is formed is attached, that the recess (7) is sealed liquid-tight. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the energy supply unit (8) is realized with the integrated power receiving unit as a circuit board, on which a receiving coil in the form of conductor tracks is applied. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a receiving coil of the energy receiving unit is applied to the glass vessel. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the energy supply unit comprises a rechargeable battery or a capacitor. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the glass vessel for coupling out of the light source (10) emitted light structured and / or roughened areas (4). Glass container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sensor device comprises a position sensor with which the lighting means (10), or can be switched off light emitted a selected color when the glass vessel is rotated by 180 ° down on his head. Glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control unit (9) has a remote control receiving unit, wherein the control unit (9) is configured such that the lighting means (10) by remote control wireless on and off and / or the Color of the light emitted by the light source (10) can be changed wirelessly by remote control. Use of the glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 10 in conjunction with a beverage vending machine (19) which has an energy-emitting unit (18), by means of which the energy required to supply the lighting means (10) is transmitted to the power receiving unit of the power supply unit (8). Use of the glass vessel according to one of claims 1 to 10 in conjunction with a mobile energy transmission unit (18), by means of which the energy required to supply the lighting means (10) is transmitted to the energy receiving unit of the energy supply unit (8).

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