GB2363838A

GB2363838A - Illuminating beverage containers

Info

Publication number: GB2363838A
Application number: GB0014751A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Townsend
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-19
Filing date: 2000-06-19
Publication date: 2002-01-09
Also published as: GB0014751D0

Abstract

A promotional device 10 for enhancing the appearance of a transparent or translucent beverage container comprises a housing 12 for positioning adjacent a part of the container 24, and a source 16 of light disposed within the housing 12 for illuminating the container 24 to cause the beverage 26 to glow as a result of scattering of the light emitted by the light source 16. The housing 12 is opaque to prevent the light source 16 from being viewed directly.

Description

2363838 PROMOTIONAL DEVICE The present invention relates to a promotional

device for enhancing the appearance of translucent or transparent beverage container.

In night clubs, beverages (normally alcoholic) are served in glass bottles, the appearance of which varies little between brands.

The present invention seeks to provide a device and method for promoting sales of a beverage by enhancing its appearance.

is According to the present invention, there is provided a method of enhancing the appearance of a transparent or translucent beverage container, which comprises positioning a source of light adjacent the container to illuminate beverage and cause it to glow as a result of scattering of the light emitted by the light source and covering the light source to prevent it from being viewed directly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a promotional device for enhancing the appearance of a transparent or translucent beverage container, comprising a housing for positioning adjacent a part of the container, and a source of light disposed within the housing for illuminating the container to cause the beverage to glow as a result of scattering of the light emitted by the light source, the housing being opaque to prevent the light source from being viewed directly.

When a drinks container, such as a bottle or a glass, is lit from below or above, total internal reflection will prevent light from directly escaping through the sides of the container Instead, the container will merely glow by radiating scattered light and the source of the light will not be immediately apparent This achieves an eye-catching appearance that makes the container more noticeable.

The invention will now be described further by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a device of the invention, Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 with the base of a bottle inserted into the housing of the device, Figure 3 is a plan view of the device from above, and Figure 4 shows the contact switch of the device.

Figure 1 shows a promotional device that can be used to illuminate a bottle from below The device 10 comprises a an opaque cup-like housing 12 containing a plastics plate 14 biased upwards as viewed in Figure 1 by a helical spring (omitted in the interest from clarity) contained within the housing 12 The plate 14 serves to mount a light source 16 and two battery cells 18 The light source 16 may be an incandescent bulb or a light emitted diode Light emitting diodes are preferred because they are more robust, more economical of power and they are available in different colours The negative terminal of one cell 18 and the positive terminal of the others are connected by metal straps 20 (see Figure 3) to one terminal of the light source 16.

A switch contact 22, shown in plan view in Figure 4, is placed beneath the cells 18 within the housing 12 When the plate 14 is pushed down in the housing against the action of its return spring by inserting a bottle 24 into the housing, in the manner shown in Figure 4, the switch contact completes the series circuit of the cells 18 and the light source 16 by bridging between the negative terminal of one cell and the positive terminal of the other The light source 16 then emits light as represented by the arrows in Figure 2 and causes the beverage 26 within the bottle 24 to glow, thereby enhancing its appearance.

As an alternative to mounting the promotional device of the invention around the base of a glass or a bottle, the housing may be designed to fit as a collar around the neck of a bottle, as a cap that fits over the mouth of an upright bottle or it may be integrated into an optic to shine light into the mouth of an inverted bottle In all cases, the housing 12 should be designed to hide the light source 16 from view so that the cause of the glowing of the contents of the bottle should not be obvious.

It will be clear that various modifications may be made to the device without the departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims In particular, as is the case with a housing integrated into an optic, the device need not be portable In such a case, instead of using batteries, the device could be powered by a transformer connected to the mains Such a transformer could also be used to recharge batteries f itted to the device if a suitable jack plug is provided in the housing.

To further enhance the visual effect, it would be possible to include in the housing an electrical circuit to control the light source instead of it being permanently switched on by the insertion of a container into the housing Such a circuit should simply flash the light on and off with a regular beat Alternatively, the circuit may include a sound sensor and operate the light when the ambient sound level exceeds a threshold In this way, the light could be switch on and off in synchronism with the rhythm of music playing in a club The circuit could also act for power saving, by preventing the light source from operating during certain times of the day or by limiting the duration that the light source remains on at any one time.

Claims

1 A method of enhancing the appearance of a transparent or translucent beverage container, which comprises positioning a source of light adjacent the container to illuminate beverage and cause it to glow as a result of scattering of the light emitted by the light source and covering the light source to prevent it from being viewed directly.

2 A promotional device for enhancing the appearance of a transparent or translucent beverage container, comprising a housing for positioning adjacent a part of the container, and a source of light disposed within the housing is for illuminating the container to cause the beverage to glow as a result of scattering of the light emitted by the light source, the housing being opaque to prevent the light source from being viewed directly.

3 A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing is formed a cup for receiving the base of the container, the cup having an opaque side wall and a light source located within the base of the cup.

4 A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing formed as a clamp having jaws for surrounding and gripping a portion of the container.

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the container is a bottle and the housing is designed to fit around the neck or mouth of the bottle.

6 A device as claimed in claim 5, where the housing forms part of an optic for dispensing predetermined quantities of the beverage from the bottle.

7 A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein a switch is provided for automatically operating the light source when the housing is positioned about the container.

8 A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, further including a sound activated switch for automatically operating the light source in response to the ambient sound exceeding a predetermined level.

9 A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein a portable power source is contained within the housing.

i 5

10 A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery and the device further includes a socket for receiving a jack plug for recharging the battery.

11 A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, further comprising a timer to permit operation of the light source only during certain times of day.

12 A promotional device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.