GB2406502A

GB2406502A - Illuminated bag

Info

Publication number: GB2406502A
Application number: GB0322918A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2005-04-06
Also published as: GB0322918D0; GB0401545D0

Abstract

A bag 1 has an illumination means (6 figure 2), associated switch 9 means and at least one transparent panel 4 in the outer surface of the bag through which light from the illumination means may shine. A plurality of transparent panels, which panels may be tinted, may be provided to form a pattern, such as a sun with rays, a character, a name or a logo. The illumination means may include one or more bulbs (7 figure 2) and a battery (8 figure 2) and may be arranged between the outer surface of the bag and a liner, which may be transparent or opaque. The switch means may be a slide switch or a push button and may be arranged on a handle 10 of the bag or an openable portion and may be arranged to turn on the illumination means when the bag is opened or closed. The bag may be a toy or novelty bag.

Description

ILLUMINATING E

The present invention is concerned with a bag, such as a toy bag, the outside of which may be illuminated.

According to the present invention, there is provided a bag having an illumination means, a switching element arranged to switch the illumination means between an on position and an off position, and at least one transparent panel in an outer surface of the bag, the panel being arranged to permit light from the illumination means to shine through at least one panel when the illumination means is in an on position.

It is particularly preferred that the bag may be a novelty bag such as a toy bag.

The bag may include a plurality of transparent panels. It is envisaged that the panels may be arranged in the outer surface of the bag to form a desired pattern. The pattern may be, for example, a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like. The panels may be tinted various colours. This is particularly advantageous to enhance the pattern.

The illuminating means may include one or more bulbs. The bulbs may emit light at a variety of wavelengths so that the appearance of white light is seen. Alternatively, the bulbs may be arranged to emit light of a specific colour.

This is particularly advantageous when the panel is not tinted. It is particularly preferred that two or more bulbs are included in the bag. However, a plurality of bulbs are particularly preferred. Typically, the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element. It is therefore particularly preferred that the illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.

The switch element may include a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch. The switch is typically arranged at an external portion of the bag. The switch may be arranged on a handle portion of the bag or alternatively a side portion or a bottom portion.

It is also envisaged that the switch element is arranged at an operable portion of the bag. In this embodiment, the switch element may be a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the bag is opened or closed.

It is envisaged that the bag includes a liner member arranged inside the bag. In this arrangement it is preferred that the illumination means is arranged between the liner and an external layer of the bag, the external layer including the at least one transparent panel. The liner may be transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the bag when the switch element is in an on position. Alternatively, it may be opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the back when the illumination means is switched on.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure l represents a perspective view of a bag according to the present invention; Figure 2 represents a cross sectional view of the bag shown in figure l; and Figure 3 represents a side view of the bag shown in figure 1.

Referring to the Figures, where like numerals are used to identify like parts, there is shown a bag 1. The bag has a front portion 2 and a back portion 3. The front portion 2 includes six yellow tinted transparent panels 4 and opaque panels 5 which, together form the outline of the suns rays.

The illumination means 6 includes eight bulbs 7 (only 4 of which are shown) and a battery 8. Switch 9 is positioned on handle 10. Switch 9 is electrically connected to illumination means 6 by circuit 11.

In use, switch 9 is turned to the on position by the user of the bag 1, thereby completing the circuit 11. Bulbs 7 and battery 8 are therefore electrically connected. The bulbs 7 illuminate and shine light through panels 4 to give the appearance of the sun. 3s

Claims

CLAIMS: l. A bag having an illumination means, a switching element

arranged to switch the illumination means s between an on position and an off position, and at least one transparent panel in an outer surface of the bag, the panel being arranged to permit light from the illumination means to shine through at least one panel when the illumination means is in an on position.
2. A bag according to claim l which is a novelty bag such as a toy bag.
3. A bag according to any preceding claim, which includes a plurality of transparent panels.
4. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the panels are arranged in the outer surface of the bag to form a desired pattern.
5. A bag according to claim 4, wherein the pattern is a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like.
6. A bag according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the panels are tinted various colours.
7. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means may include one or more bulbs, preferably two or more.
8. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element.
9. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the s illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.
10. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element includes a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch.
11. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element is arranged on a handle portion of the bag, a side portion or a bottom portion, or an openable portion of the bag.
12. A bag according to claim 11, wherein the switch is a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the bag is opened or closed.
13. A bag according to any preceding claim, which includes a liner member arranged inside the bag.
14. A bag according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liner is opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the bag when the illumination means is switched on. ,.

14. A bag according to claim 13, wherein the illumination means is arranged between the liner and an external layer of the bag, the external layer including the at least one transparent panel. 2s

15. A bag according to claim 14, wherein the liner is transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the bag when the switch element is in an on position.

16. A bag according to claim 14, wherein the liner is opaque such that substantially no light is seen in the interior of the back when the illumination means is switched on. 3s

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A container including an inner liner member, an external layer which includes at least one transparent panel, and an illumination means arranged in an area substantially between the inner liner and the external layer, the illumination means arranged to be switched by a switching element between an on position whereby light is permitted to shine through the at least one transparent panel and an off position whereby the illumination means is off.

2. A bag according to claim 1 which is a novelty bag such as a toy bag.

3. A bag according to any preceding claim, which includes a plurality of transparent panels.

4. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the panels are arranged in the external layer of the bag to form a desired pattern.

5. A bag according to claim 4, wherein the pattern is a sun with rays, a children's character, a name or a logo or the like.

6. A bag according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the panels are tinted various colours.

7. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the . illuminating means may include one or more bulbs, preferably two or more.

-8. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means is battery operated and therefore includes a battery element.

9. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the illuminating means is electrically connected to the switch element.

10. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element includes a standard on-off type switch, such as a push button type or a slide switch.

11. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch element is arranged on a handle portion of the bag, a side portion or a bottom portion, or an openable portion of the bag.

12. A bag according to claim 11, wherein the switch is a sensor type switch arranged to turn the illumination means on when the bag is opened or closed.

13. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the liner is transparent to permit light from the illumination means to light up the interior of the bag when the switch element is in an on position.