GB2375037A

GB2375037A - A container with an illumination source

Info

Publication number: GB2375037A
Application number: GB0110654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jemma Whitehouse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-01
Filing date: 2001-05-01
Publication date: 2002-11-06
Also published as: GB0110654D0

Abstract

A container comprising a handbag or the like, wherein opening the container switches on an illumination source and closing the container switches it off. The container may be provided with a push-button switch 7 which is activated when the handle is pivoted to one side (fig 9, not shown). Alternatively, the handle may pivot horizontally and may be hingedly connected to the front or rear face of the bag. The illumination source 13 may comprise white LEDs. The handle may pivot to one side, the pivot comprising a shaft 2, snap-ring 3, washer 4 and spring 5.

Description

IMPROVED CONTAINER/CARRIER This invention relates to an improved container/carrier particularly in the form of a handbag/evening bag.

Containers/carriers particularly in the form of a handbag are used to store/contain or carry objects from one place to another or are carried about the person in some way.

Sometimes if one would like to open this container/carrier/bag it can be difficult to find what one is looking for, especially if one was in a dark place or at night. Therefore the problem lies with finding the exact object that one requires straight away without feeling for or guessing which is the right object within a short space of time.

It is an object to provide an improved container/carrier in a suitable form.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by the way of example with reference to the nine A4 sheets of accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: Shows the Front view of the container/carrier in the form of a handbag with the Components Layout and the Pivot Hinge.

Figure 2: Shows the Side view with Dimensions.

Figure 3: Shows the Side view with the Components Layout i. e. Circuit Board/Lighting and Dimensions and the Parts Grid.

Figure 4: Shows the Top view with Dimensions.

Figure 6: Shows the Top view without the handle i. e. Open container/carrier with Dimensions.

Figure 6: Shows the Front view of the handbag.

Figure 7: Shows the Top view of the handbag.

Figure 8: Shows the Side view of the handbag.

Figure 9: Shows the Front/Side view of the handbag with the handle pivoted to the right, showing the light switching on.

Referring to the drawings the handbag comprises of a simple conventional circuit that is connected to three LED light bulbs that are battery powered. The circuit is connected to a switch, which is activated when the bag is opened by the handle pivoting to one side, which is the result of the bullet catch clicking out of the closed position. At this point the LED lighting is switched on illuminating the contents of the bag. This can be shown in Figure 1 where part (7) shows the push button switch and in Figure 3 where the parts are shown more clearly. Part (10) Battery Connector, (11) Bullet Catch, (12) Circuit Board, (13) Ultra-Bright White LEDs, (14) Battery.

The circuit and its components are joined to a separate panel, which enables the battery/light bulbs to be replaced and can be seen in Figure 1. The circuit could also be reversed so that the bag lights up when it is closed (instead of open). It is also possible that the circuit could enable the bag to be illuminated at all times. Please note that any other form of suitable Circuit, Lighting, Power (energy), Switch, Panel or Catch may be used.

The handle is pivoted to one side with the aid of the pivot-sprung hinge that turns and lifts up as the bullet catch is released activating the circuit. The hinge can be shown in Figure 1, Part (2) Shaft, (3) Snap Ring, (4) Washer, (5)'Spring. This too is protected by a snap-out panel that is shown in Figure 1. Please note that any other form of Hinge maybe used enabling the handle to pivot or open and close in any other way, for example a horizontal pivot, or hinged from the front or back of the bag.

Figures 2,4, 6 and 6 to 9 show the different views of the bag as explained on the previous page.

It must be appreciated that although the invention here is shown as a handbag, it may also be any other suitable form of container/carrier.

No. PART. QTY 1 PANEL) 1 2 SHAFT 1 3 SNAP RING 1 4 WASHER 2 5 SPRING 1 6 HANDLE. 1 7 PUSH-BUTTON SWIT-CH. 1 8 PANEL 1 9 BODY 1 10 BATTERY CONNECTOR 11 BULLET CATCH 1 12 CIRCUIT BOARD 1 13 ULTRA-BRIGHT WHITE LEDs 3 14 9V BATTERY TYPE 3022 1

Claims

1. I claim a container/carrier that is illuminated by any form of illumination.

2. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim 1 that functions as a handbag/evening bag or is used to carry objects from one place to another and/or is carried about the person in some way wherein the actuation of illumination is that the

container/carrier is switched on when opened and switched off when closed. j

3. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the process of illumination is in the form of light bulbs (including LED s) that are Battery Powered-including rechargeable cells.

4. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim1 or Claim 2 where the process of illumination is in the form of light bulbs (including LED s) that are powered by a Solar Powered Unit (s).

5. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim1 or Claim 2 where the process of illumination is in the form of light bulbs (including LED s) that are Dynamo Powered.

6. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim1 or Claim 2 where the process of illumination is in the form of light bulbs (including LED s) that are Gyro Powered.

7. A container/carrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the process of illumination is in the form of light bulbs (including LED s) that are powered by a Spring Powered Wind-Up Mechanism.

8. A container/carrier as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from any fabric, leather, plastics materials, metal, wood, or from a combination of these materials.