WO2007045039A1

WO2007045039A1 - A celebratory apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2007045039A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul David Buffey; Samuel David Tucker
Original assignee: Glowco Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-19
Filing date: 2006-10-19
Publication date: 2007-04-26

Abstract

A celebratory apparatus comprising a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold in a side upon side one resting upon another alignment a plurality of light sticks with each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon. There are also provided necklace holders to subsequently hold lighted light sticks.

Description

A CELEBRATORY APPARATUS AND METHOD

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to both a celebratory apparatus, a kit of parts for such celebratory purposes and a method of assisting celebrations.

It is currently traditional to have a celebratory item of food such as a cake and then to celebrate various events, candles are supported on the food item and part of the celebration is the lighting of the candles on the cake and often the fun of trying to extinguish these candles.

There are however times in which the use of candles is inappropriate, and further , in many circumstances, the use of an open flame and having people with vulnerable hair get close to burning candles can result in quite severe injuries.

As an examples of alternate techniques, devices generally known as sparklers, can be used and when lighted, issue quite bright light with minor explosions which effect projection of hot particles which provides the name "sparkler".

The challenge however is to establish an apparatus and method and kit of parts that can be useful to provide sufficient excitement in their deployment to be enjoyable to a selection of people, and where the potential for pollution, or injury is at the very least reduced significantly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to my proposal, there is proposed to be used hollow cylindrical devices which contain an active agent and an activating agent which when mixed, will effect a reaction to the extent that there will be over a period of time light generated from such reaction, and by reason of the nature of the wall of the item, such light can transmit through the wall to be viewed by users of the device.

I will refer to this type of device as a "light stick" which devices are commonly known and commercially available.

One form of these that is currently available is where an outer wall is of a flexible material and by flexing, this can break an inner container so that a catalyst can then join with an active agent to effect light generation.

Also, various colours of light can be obtained or at the least, a wall of the respective light stick can be coloured so as to assist in providing a range of coloured lights.

In the first instance then, my proposal is to provide a plurality of light sticks of one or more colours which are then proposed to be used by supporting them with respect to the celebratory food subsequent to each having been activated so as to be transmitting light.

One of the advantages of a light stick as they are currently made, is that they will continue to provide a light for several hours so that the time that they are required to be used on a celebratory food might be only a very small proportion of this total time available.

My concept then is to provide that there is provided a holder by which a light stick can then be attached to clothing or the body of one of the participants for subsequent enjoyment for the period of the generation of light.

In a preferred example such a holder includes a socket into which an end of the light stick will fit with an interference fit and the socket is supported by a necklace or string or strap or ribbon or the like which can then be located around a wearers neck so that the holder then dangles from this subsequent to its use from the celebratory food.

In preference, as this is an active material and if for any reason the wall or otherwise of light stick should fracture, it is of advantage that the necklace material should be easily opened and therefore there is provided a male and female portion of respective ends of a necklace which are able to be held together with a releasable pressure.

One of the difficulties with light sticks is that any liquid within a light stick will naturally leave an uppermost air gap so that there can be a slight disadvantage if each light stick is used in an upright position and especially if it is used independently.

My further preferred answer is to provide means by which a plurality of light sticks can be held within a common chamber and the common chamber has at least one wall which allows for transmission of light therethrough one within the chamber two outside of the chamber and that the means to support the plurality of light sticks includes means to support itself in relation to celebratory food.

In preference, such means include at least one spike projecting from below the item.

In order to be able to handle and therefore start by causing a fracturing of the activating agent in each light stick, access must be available in relation to the chamber.

In one form, this can be achieved by having the holding means comprised of two parts, one of which provides and defines a chamber shape, and an open bottom end of which engages with interlocking fit, a base portion which includes at least one spike.

In this way, a plurality of light sticks which can then be lain one alongside the other ^~ inside^" of a chamber. - - - - - - - - - - -

One of the advantages of such an arrangement is that in addition to simply having lighting, it is now possible to modify or have tailored, messages in relation to the support means, where there can for instance be a transparent sticker expressing supporting or appropriate words e.g. 'happy birthday', 'congratulations', 'happy engagement', or the like, and such transparent stickers then can be chosen to be appropriate to any occasion and there is at the same time the advantage of having a multi coloured lighting source effecting a transmission of such light through the message.

In one form of the invention then it could be said to reside in a celebratory apparatus comprised of, at the least, a holder, support means being a part of or secured to a bottom of the holder to support the holder in an upright position on a celebratory food, the holder having an inner chamber arranged to hold in a side by side alignment, a plurality of light sticks, and at least one transparent or translucent side of the holder adapted to allow for transmission of light therethrough from the respective light sticks.

In preference, there is supported a sign so that light from the light sticks will pass through the sign to illuminate the sign.

In preference, such a sign is of a celebratory or congratulatory character and may include appropriate indicia and colours and images to that effect. In preference the sign is adhered to an outer face of at least one of the transparent or translucent sides of the holder.

In preference, the illumination is effected by reason that the sign is transparent or translucent and light thereby passes through the sign.

In preference the holder is comprised of at least two separable parts, an upper part having a chamber therein, and a base onto which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby.

In preference, the base includes at least one downwardly projecting spike adapted to impinge within a celebratory food and support the holder thereby.

The further ability then of being able to take each of the light sticks and have each of some participants have these dangling from a support from around their neck or otherwise, is a further feature of the invention.

A further concept of this invention relates to the method of providing a celebratory effect which includes using a plurality of light sticks, effecting an activation of each of the light sticks so that they are effecting a light output, and then supporting such light sticks jointly in relation to celebratory food.

In preference such method includes the steps of locating such plurality of light sticks within a single holder, and where the holder is adapted to be supported by the celebratory food.

In preference, such method is further characterised by facilitating the attachment to the holder of a celebratory sign or congratulatory message appropriate to any occasion.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided the method of effecting a first illumination of a sign and then effecting a separation of individual light sticks to individuals so that they can have these for further enjoyment.

In a further form the invention can be said to reside in a celebratory apparatus comprising a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks with each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon.

In the alternative the light stick holder is comprised of two separable parts a first part being an upper part defining a chamber therein, and a second part being a base with which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby.

In a further form the invention can be said to reside in celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon and where the holder is comprised of two separable parts a first part being an upper part defining the chamber, and a second part being a base with which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby.

In a further form the invention can be said to reside in a combination which includes a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold and holding in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining a chamber therein, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby, a cake a top of which is receiving each of the respective spikes and holding the apparatus in a position above the cake thereby.

In an alternative combination, there is a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold and holding resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon with the celebratory sign being visually discemable by the light of the respective light sticks, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining the chamber therein with a lowermost open mouth, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and also closes the mouth of the chamber and is supported thereby, a cake a top of which is receiving and holding each of the respective spikes and the apparatus in a position above the cake thereby.

A further form of the invention can be said to reside in a kit of parts comprising a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment a plurality of light sticks, a plurality of light sticks of a size and shape adapted to fit within the chamber in a resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment position, a each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon with the celebratory sign being visually discernable by the light of the respective light sticks, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining the chamber therein with a lowermost open mouth, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and also closes the mouth of the chamber and is supported thereby, and at least one necklace holder comprising neck encircling loop attached to a holder, the holder having a bore into which a one of the light sticks will be insertable and be retained with a friction fit.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS -

The invention will be better understood when described with reference to a preferred embodiment which will now be described with the assistance of drawings where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a celebratory cake with a holder in accordance with the embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a cross section through the holder and as shown in Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 are the elements of a kit of parts,

Figure 4 lists as (a) (b) (c) and (d) the steps of bending so that the holder is positioned by having spikes inserted into and holding the holder in an upright position on a celebratory food e.g. a cake,

Figure 5 illustrates steps which relate to the subsequent use of the light sticks and the (a) which illustrates fracturing a light stick, (b) having the thus lighted activated light stick, (c) inserting such an activated light stick subsequent to its use in accordance with this invention in cooperation with the holder and celebratory food, where it is impressed at one end into the holder, and (d) illustrates its location with a necklace providing a support of the activated light stick.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular to the embodiment described, realising that there are a number of alternatives as far as the embodiments are concerned, nonetheless in this case there is a holder 1 which is moulded from transparent plastics material which is comprised of two parts namely an upper part 2 and a lower or base part 3.

The base part 3 includes two downwardly depending spikes 4 and 5 each of which are located to be spaced apart in a direction of elongation of the holder so as to support in a stable way the holder 1 and include in each case a flange 6 in one case and 7 in the other which assists in providing a limit at least to some extent of the projection of each spike into the celebratory food which in this case is a cake 8.

The base 3 also includes a rebated portion 9 over which the upper portion 2 fits and is supported by and encloses thereby a chamber 10.

This chamber is defined by two transparent sides 11 on the one side and 12 on the other and ends 13 and 14 and a top 15.

The length of the chamber 10 is such that a light stick of conventional manufacture can fit therein together with a plurality of other light sticks of like kind as shown in the drawings typically as 15 and these are held simply by being located in an elongate side by side relationship with one resting on the other.

In this case, each is provided with an activating and effective agent which provides a lighting which is different one from the other or at least has several different colours so as to provide more effective interesting lighting which can add to a celebratory occasion.

On a one side of the holder there is a transparent film 16 which has printed thereon a celebratory sign, in this case being the words "happy birthday" and this may also include appropriate other insignia including for instance bells, bows and such like. Further, these can be in transparent colours so that in addition to the multiple colours provided from the light sticks, there is also the additional effective colouring through the transparency or translucency of the sticker 16.

As shown in the drawings, there is the sticker or film 16 shown on one side, but in practice this would be shown on two sides and would be adhering so that the majority of those seeing such a sign would see the celebratory signs lighted in an effective way.

It is traditional in such celebrations that a cake is then cut and divided into portions so that persons can eat this and the removal of this celebratory sign can then be accompanied by a separation of the respective parts of the holder 1 , so that the light sticks which would normally be still activated, can then be divided among those who are involved in a celebration .

In this case then, there is included a necklace for at least one of the participants although in practice there would be a number of such necklaces and with each of these there would be firstly a holder 20 which is supported by a necklace 21 where the holder 20 is arranged to receive with friction fit an end of a light stick 15.

This can then be supported as is shown specifically in Figure 5 (d).

An aspect of the necklace is that, in conjunction with any active material, there needs to be some readily removable item and to this extent, the necklace has two ends which are f rictionally held together but which can be readily separated by sufficient tensile force.

It will now be seen that an effective encouragement of celebration can be assisted therefore by the use of light sticks 15 where there is the holder 1 providing a chamber which can hold a collection of these and there can be provided one or more transparent or translucent adhesions carrying the celebratory messages as in 16.

By having the addition then of a further necklace system, the fun that can be achieved by a light stick can be further enhanced and for the period of a conventional light stick activation , this can last for several hours and as such, part of the enjoyment of the initial celebration can be extended through to further enjoyment.

The method of the celebration then includes effecting an activation of light sticks 15, locating them in a holder which includes an upper part 2 which includes a chamber into which the light sticks are located in parallel one on one alignment, and there is provided a support and closure by a base 3 which also includes downwardly depending spikes which can be attached or secure within a celebratory food.

Subsequent to an initial celebration, there can then be a breaking open of the holder 1 and the light stick 15 as activated can then be allowed to fall out of the chamber of the upper part 2 and can then be inserted with friction fit into a necklace holder 20 of a necklace 21.

What we have described then is a new celebratory apparatus and method which allows for excitement of lighted colours, a feeling of the lighting being transitory, the opportunity for individual participation and all of this with safety.

Claims

1. A celebratory apparatus comprised of, at the least, a holder, support means being a part of or secured to a bottom of the holder to support the holder in an upright position on a celebratory food, the holder having an inner chamber of a size and shape to hold in a side by side alignment, a plurality of light sticks, and at least one transparent or translucent side of the holder adapted to allow for transmission of light therethrough from the respective light sticks.

2. A celebratory apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim where there is supported a sign so that light from the light sticks will pass through the sign to illuminate the sign.

3. A celebratory apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim where the sign is adhered to an outer face of at least one of the transparent or translucent sides of the chamber of the holder .

4. A celebratory apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim where the sign is transparent or translucent.

5. A celebratory apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim where the holder is comprised of at least two separable parts these being an upper part defining the chamber therein with a powermost open mouth, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and effects a closure across the mouth.

6. A celebratory apparatus as in anyone of the preceding claims where the support means include at least one downwardly projecting spike to pierce within a celebratory food and support the holder thereby.

7. A method of providing a celebratory effect with a celebratory apparatus celebratory apparatus comprised of, at the least, a holder, support means being a part of or secured to a bottom of the holder to support the holder in an upright position on a celebratory food, the holder having an inner chamber of a size and shape to hold in a side by side alignment, a plurality of light sticks, and at least one transparent or translucent side of the holder to allow for transmission of light therethrough from the respective light sticks the method including obtaining a plurality of light sticks, effecting an activation of each of the light sticks so that they are effecting a light output, and then supporting such light sticks jointly in relation to celebratory food by locating these together in a side by side one upon the other position within the chamber, then locating such apparatus on a celebratory food.

8. A method as in the immediately preceding claim further comprising attachment to the holder of a celebratory sign or congratulatory message appropriate to any occasion.

9. A method of effecting a first illumination of a sign as in either preceding claim 7 or 8 and then effecting a separation of individual light sticks from the chamber to individuals and effecting a support of each light stick within a necklace holder.

10. A celebratory apparatus comprising a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks with each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon.

11. A celebratory apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim where the light stick holder is comprised of two separable parts a first part being an upper part defining a chamber therein, and a second part being a base with which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby.

12. A celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon and where the holder is comprised of two separable parts a first part being an upper part defining the chamber, and a second part being a base with which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby.

13. In combination, a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold and holding in a side upon side alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining a chamber therein, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and is supported thereby, a cake a top of which is receiving each of the respective spikes and holding the apparatus in a position above the cake thereby.

14. In combination, a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold and holding resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment a plurality of light sticks, each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon with the celebratory sign being visually discernable by the light of the respective light sticks, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining the chamber therein with a lowermost open mouth, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and also closes the mouth of the chamber and is supported thereby, a cake a top of which is receiving and holding each of the respective spikes and the apparatus in a position above the cake thereby.

15. A kit of parts comprising a celebratory apparatus comprised of a light stick holder formed from moulded plastics material with downwardly directed spikes, an inner chamber within the holder being of a size and shape to hold resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment a plurality of light sticks, a plurality of light sticks of a size and shape adapted to fit within the chamber in a resting directly one upon another in a sequential horizontal alignment position, a each side of the chamber being a transparent wall with an outer planar face to which is adhered a transparent sheet having a celebratory sign thereon with the celebratory sign being visually discernable by the light of the respective light sticks, the holder being comprised of two separable parts these being an upper part defining the chamber therein with a lowermost open mouth, and a second part which is a base onto which the upper part interlocks and also closes the mouth of the chamber and is supported thereby, and at least one necklace holder comprising neck encircling loop attached to a holder, the holder having a bore into which a one of the light sticks will be insertable and be retained with a friction fit.