WO2023067052A1

WO2023067052A1 - Light-up underlay for articles, in particular for vessels

Info

Publication number: WO2023067052A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/079186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jana Schulz
Original assignee: Satislight Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-10-20
Filing date: 2022-10-20
Publication date: 2023-04-27
Also published as: EP4418962A1; DE202021105735U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a light-up underlay (1) for articles, in particular vessels, having a flat, substantially planar main body (2) with a top side (2.1) having at least one light-permeable region (2a) and with an opposite underside (2.2); and a lighting unit (3), which comprises at least one electronic component (5) with at least one LED lamp (6) and an electrical energy storage device (7). The main body (2) has at least one recess (4) which is open on the underside (2.2) and accommodates the lighting unit (3). The lighting unit (3) is accommodated exchangeably in the recess such that, under the effect of a pressure acting on the top side (2.1) of the main body (2), an electrical contact can be produced in the lighting unit (3), and the LED lamp (6) generates light which passes outwards via the light-permeable region (2a). The lighting unit (3) is secured in position and fixed pressure-sensitively by means of a reusable sheet- or foil-like securing element (8), which is fastened detachably to the underside (2.2) of the main body (2).

Description

Illuminated coasters for articles, in particular for vessels

technical field

The invention relates to a light coaster for articles or objects, in particular a light coaster for vessels such as glasses, bottles, vases or the like.

State of the art

Coasters for articles, in particular for vessels such as glasses, bottles, vases or the like are well known. For example, such coasters are also known under the name "beer mats" and are used, among other things, to place drinking glasses on them. The coasters or beer mats mentioned not only serve to protect the table surface, but are also used in particular for decorative purposes, namely as decorative items and are used both in the catering business and in the private sphere.

It is also known from the prior art that such coasters of the type mentioned are designed as illuminated coasters. Such illuminated coasters, which can also be referred to as illuminated or luminous coasters, illuminate, for example, a vessel placed on it, such as a drinking glass filled with a drink, and thereby create a visually pleasing effect. In addition, the illuminated coasters can, on the one hand, make drinking glasses clearly visible in a dark environment and, on the other hand, also function as a light source.

Illuminated coasters are usually equipped with a means of lighting or a lighting arrangement and also often have their own voltage or power supply in the form of a battery. For example, DE 299 19 755 Ul describes a light coaster with a lamp, the light coaster comprising a two-part housing made of a lower shell and a screwed-on cover, and the lamp is arranged together with a battery inside the housing and can be switched on via a switch that can be actuated and can be turned off. Furthermore, US 2019/0216246 A1 describes a light coaster that has an incorporated LED light source arrangement with a battery and in which the light function is triggered by pressure when a container is placed on the light coaster.

The light coaster according to US 2019/0216246 A1 is designed as a disposable item, whereby it is not possible to replace the LED light source arrangement or the battery when the function decreases, and the light function can therefore not be restored if the battery power and/or the light source decreases or fails .

Furthermore, a typical problem with such solutions is that reliable functioning with regard to the generation of light caused by the action of pressure cannot be guaranteed for a longer period of time.

Despite the solutions known from the prior art, there is therefore a need for improved light coasters that allow the light source and/or battery to be replaced and therefore remain functional over a long service life, can be reused several times and function reliably.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a light coaster that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and that in particular allows the lighting unit and/or parts thereof to be replaced in such a way that the reliable and safe functioning is maintained even after repeated replacement remains. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the device according to independent claim 1 . Further advantageous aspects, details and configurations of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The present invention provides an illuminated coaster for articles, in particular for vessels, such as glasses, bottles or vases, the illuminated coaster having a flat, essentially plate-shaped base body with an upper side having at least one translucent area and an underside opposite the upper side, and the illuminated coaster further has at least one lighting unit, which comprises at least one electronic component with at least one LED light source and at least one electrical energy storage device. The base body has at least one recess that is open on the underside and accommodates the lighting unit, and the lighting unit is accommodated in the recess in an exchangeable manner in such a way that an electrical contact can be made in the lighting unit under the action of pressure acting on the top side of the base body and the LED -Lamp thereby produces light. In this case, the generated light reaches the outside via the light-transmitting area on the upper side of the base body, which area is connected to the recess. In the present light coaster, the exchangeable lighting unit accommodated in the recess is secured in its position and pressure-sensitively fixed by means of a reusable and repeatedly detachable sheet or film-like securing element fastened to the underside of the base body.

The luminous coaster according to the invention is to be understood in particular as a luminous or illuminated coaster that has the following "mode of operation": In a "state of use" the luminous coaster begins to glow, namely precisely when, for example, a beverage glass or a bottle is placed on it, the luminous coaster lights up as long as the usage state is maintained, i.e. as long as an object is placed on it. On the other hand, in its "rest state", i.e. without an object placed on it, the illuminated coaster does not light up.

This "mode of operation" of the light coaster can also be referred to as the desired mode of operation and is also defined by the fact that light is generated and emitted under the influence of pressure, namely by the object placed there. The desired mode of operation is in particular such that with an extremely high level of reliability and In particular, light is only reliably generated and emitted when pressure is applied, and light is generated and emitted just as reliably and securely always and precisely when sufficient pressure is applied, namely by a parked object.

This desired function is realized in the present light coaster and is brought about in particular due to the interaction of the design of the recess in the base body, the configuration of the lighting unit and the leaf or foil-like security element. Furthermore, the simple, safe exchangeability of the lighting unit also results according to the invention, in particular due to the combinatorial interaction or interaction of the recess in the base body, the lighting unit and the sheet-like or foil-like security element - and in particular advantageously while maintaining the desired functionality even after several replacement processes.

The recess, whose dimensioning is matched to the exchangeable lighting unit and is therefore adapted to the design of the lighting unit, is in particular set exactly and precisely and introduced into the base body. Due to the sheet-like or film-like security element that is repeatedly and releasably attached to the underside of the base body, not only is it ensured that the recess can be opened and closed multiple times in order to remove and reinsert the lighting unit, but there is also the necessary and sufficient pressure sensitivity to protect the lighting unit used to be held and fixed securely and pressure-sensitively in the recess even after several replacement processes, in such a way that the desired functionality is maintained.

All standard LED colors, such as white, blue, red and green, can of course be used as the LED lighting unit; an LED lighting unit which changes color between these four colors can also preferably be used. Any other colors are also possible, such as pink or orange. As a result, the light coaster can be used variably and in a variety of ways for a wide variety of optical effects.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the base body is designed in one piece and is made from a plastic or from a foam material, in particular from a rigid PVC foam. As a result, the production of the base body is simple and inexpensive, and in particular with high stability of the light coaster at the same time.

In this case, the base body is particularly preferably produced from rigid PVC foam by means of a machining production process, namely, for example, by milling. When manufacturing the base body from rigid PVC foam, there are special advantages due to the material properties, such as advantages due to the low material weight with simultaneous stability, the versatile Processing options, such as simple coloring and/or shaping of the material, due to the possible printability and in particular due to the moisture and moisture tolerance but also due to the hygienic cleanability of the material and last but not least due to an appealing feel and look.

Alternatively and just as preferably, the base body is produced by means of an injection molding process from a plastic that is particularly suitable for this process, preferably from a thermoplastic material. For example, plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA6), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), methyl methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (M-ABS) or the like can be used. Special advantages result from the use of transparent, clear plastics, which ensure good light transmission and can therefore produce special optical lighting effects. It is therefore particularly preferred to use a clear ABS material for the production of the base body, which is referred to, for example, as "ABS crystal clear". Base bodies made from the plastics mentioned are advantageously stable, easy to clean and water-resistant.

It goes without saying that in alternative variants, other materials can also be used to manufacture the base body, with materials such as glass, cardboard, aluminum composite, cork, plexiglass, wood, bamboo or the like being suitable for this purpose.

The flat, plate-like base body preferably has a thickness in a range from around 2 mm to 5 mm, preferably in a range from 2.5 mm to 4 mm and particularly preferably around 3 mm or around 3.5 mm. This particularly flat, thin shape has a beneficial effect on material and resource consumption as well as customer acceptance.

Advantages also result from the present light coaster in that the recess is designed to accommodate the lighting unit with a precise fit and in particular the lighting unit is accommodated with a fit in the recess. The recess, which is elongated in shape, for example, and has a predetermined width and length, is particularly suitable the shape, dimensions and configuration of the lighting unit are optimally adapted so that the lighting unit is accommodated and held in the recess, for example with a snug fit, and at the same time can be secured in a pressure-sensitive manner. This increases handling and safety when changing and also improves the reliability and safety of the desired function, ie the pressure-sensitive light generation.

For example, the recess is oval or, alternatively, has a substantially circular central section from which two opposite, angular edge sections protrude in the longitudinal direction of the recess. These preferred shapes of the recess improve or increase the fit and/or fit or snug fit of the lighting unit in the recess.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess of the base body has a recess depth in a range of 1 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably around 2 mm, extending from an underside surface of the underside to a bottom of the recess. In this case, this recess depth is matched in particular to the lighting unit used in order to optimally ensure the reliable and safe functioning of the lighting unit when pressure is applied to the upper side of the base body, namely when an object, in particular a beverage glass or a bottle, is placed on the illuminated coaster.

The recess depth extending from the underside surface of the underside to the bottom of the recess advantageously has a tolerance deviation of less than 0.5 mm, in particular less than 0.2 mm and preferably a maximum of 0.1 mm. The tolerance deviation of the recess depth is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the recess has the same exactly and precisely set recess depth over its entire spatial or surface extent, namely the recess depth with the values lying within the specified tolerance limit.

The bottom of the recess is therefore particularly planar or flat. This means that the recess depth corresponds exactly to the set value, regardless of where on the floor it is measured. The bottom runs, for example, in a second plane, which is parallel to a first plane, in which the top surface of the base body is included, oriented, so that the Recess depth is defined here as the distance between the parallel, first and second planes.

The low tolerance deviation in the depth of the recess ensures and guarantees in the present light coaster in a particularly advantageous manner that the lighting function, which is effected by means of the lighting unit accommodated in the recess, works particularly safely and reliably and, moreover, functions with particularly little or no errors and effectively reduces corresponding malfunctions or avoided entirely. A malfunction in this context would be, for example, the lighting of the light coaster in its "sleep state", i.e. without an object placed on or placed on it, or the non-lighting of the light coaster in the "used state", i.e. if the light coaster is a object is parked.

The upper side of the base body is preferably provided with a decoration. In particular, the base body is printed directly on its upper side. The base body can be provided with an individual and/or personalized design, with the specified materials for manufacturing the base body in particular also being compatible and suitable for the individual design configuration, for example by printing. The illuminated coasters are therefore suitable, for example, as advertising media or as promotional items or promotional gifts ("give-aways") or as individualized decorative items for parties, celebrations or similar events.

In a preferred embodiment variant, an opening is also provided in the base body, the light-transmitting area on the upper side of the base body being formed by this opening opening outwards on the upper side, which extends from the bottom of the recess to the upper side and this breaks through This opening, designed as a hole-like opening in the top surface, is particularly preferred in the case of base bodies made of a non-transparent material, so that the light emitted by the lighting unit passes through the hole-like opening to the outside.

In alternative design variants, a recess is also provided in the base body, which extends from the bottom of the recess in the direction of the top. The translucent area at the top of the base body is in this case formed by at least one transparent surface section of the upper side which defines a base area of the depression. This is particularly preferred in the case of base bodies that are produced from transparent plastic by means of injection molding. Since in these embodiment variants there is advantageously no need for a break-through opening in the upper side, in particular the ingress of dirt, moisture or water is effectively avoided here, so that the lighting unit is particularly well and effectively protected in these embodiments.

In the embodiment variants explained above, the LED lighting means is particularly preferably at least partially accommodated in the depression or at least partially in the opening. This ensures that the LED illuminant is arranged at the smallest possible distance from the translucent area on the upper side of the base body, so that the light reaches the outside in the best possible way. In these variants, the recess advantageously forms, together with the recess or opening, a precisely fitting receiving space for the lighting unit, so that the lighting unit is also received with a fit or a snug fit.

The base body can have an essentially polygonal, in particular a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal basic cross-sectional shape, preferably a square cross-sectional basic shape. Alternatively, the basic cross-sectional shape can also be round or essentially round or oval or have an irregular free form. The size of the basic body can also vary and can, for example, be freely selected up to a maximum of two square meters in one piece. This means that the illuminated coaster can have any size and geometric shape you like, from "beer mat size" to "tray size".

The lighting unit also preferably has a plurality of LED light sources. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of recesses can also be formed in the base body, with a lighting unit having one or more LED light sources being accommodated in each recess. It goes without saying that embodiments are also conceivable in which a plurality of lighting units are accommodated in a correspondingly larger recess.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet-like or foil-like security element is designed and connected to the base body in such a way that the lighting unit accommodated in the recess also is protected against moisture and/or moisture and/or dirt. The sheet-like or film-like security element is particularly preferably water-impermeable and/or has a water- and/or dirt-repellent surface on its side facing away from the base body. As a result, the lighting unit is advantageously particularly effectively protected against external influences, as a result of which the proper functionality of the lighting unit can be ensured and supported and, moreover, its service life can also be extended.

The sheet-like or foil-like security element preferably has a cross-sectional size that is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the base body. The cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional size of the security element are preferably selected in such a way that the recess in the base body is completely covered by the sheet-like or film-like security element and the security element projects beyond the recess with at least one peripheral edge region and is connected to the underside surface of the underside of the base body .

The sheet-like or foil-like security element preferably has a material thickness in a range from around 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. It can thus be ensured that the lighting unit accommodated in the recess is securely held and fixed in its position in an effective manner and at the same time the required pressure sensitivity is maintained in order to ensure reliable and error-free functioning.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, the sheet-like or foil-like security element is designed in the form of a self-adhesive sticker and is connected to the base body via an adhesive connection. The sticker is provided at least in sections on its side facing the base body with a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a predetermined first adhesive strength, in order in particular to allow the adhesive connection to be released and restored several times. In particular, the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the first adhesive strength are set up or selected such that no failure problems of the adhesive strength occur even with a large number of application cycles, namely cycles of detaching and restoring the adhesive connection, for example after a number of 30 such application cycles. In this way, for example, the lighting unit, in particular the energy storage device provided in the lighting unit, namely the battery, If necessary, for example in the event of a drop in performance or a functional failure, they can be changed several times so that the customer can reuse the illuminated coaster and use it permanently.

It goes without saying that the sticker can be printed on its side facing away from the base body. For example, in addition to design elements or slogans, technical information, safety or disposal instructions, brief instructions for changing the lighting unit or the like can also be printed, so that the sticker also fulfills the function of a label.

The self-adhesive sticker preferably has a removal aid section that is preferably designed like a tab, the sticker being free of pressure-sensitive adhesive in the area of its removal aid section on its side facing the base body or being provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a second adhesive force, with the second adhesive force being lower than the first adhesive force. This improves the handling of the sticker, especially in the case of possible changing operations, ie when loosening and restoring the adhesive bond.

The electronic component of the lighting unit is preferably formed by a multi-layer, flexible printed circuit board, with the LED lighting unit being connected to the flexible printed circuit board by soldering. In this case, the energy storage device is preferably a battery serving as a current and voltage source, for example a button cell. The flexible circuit board and the battery are assembled in an arrangement forming the lighting unit in such a way that the electrical contact is made under pressure and an electric circuit is thereby closed.

The present invention also includes a set consisting of a light coaster as described above and at least one vessel.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All of the features described and/or illustrated are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, either alone or in any combination, regardless of how they are summarized in the claims or how they relate back to them. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawings. Show it

1 shows a schematic and simplified representation of a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a base body of the present light coaster;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of a section along the section line A-A indicated in FIG. 1 through the base body according to FIG. 1;

3a shows a schematic and simplified view from above of a light coaster according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b shows a schematic and simplified representation of a bottom view of the luminous coaster of FIG. 3a;

4 shows an example and a schematic representation of a sheet-like or foil-like security element in a view of the side facing the base body;

5 shows a schematic and simplified view from below of an alternative preferred embodiment of a base body of the present light coaster;

6a-6d an embodiment of the lighting unit in the assembled state in top view (Fig. 6a), bottom view (Fig. 6b) and in section (Fig. 6d) and in the non-assembled state (Fig. 6c).

Ways to carry out the invention The illuminated coaster, generally designated 1 in the figures, is a luminous or illuminated coaster for articles, in particular for vessels such as vases, bottles, glasses or the like, with the illuminated coaster 1 in the examples shown essentially being a so-called beer mat for placing beverage bottles and/or beverage glasses.

The present illuminated coaster 1 can, also deviating from the examples shown, have different sizes and shapes, but is basically designed as a flat, thin or plate-shaped coaster and can be different in terms of its size, namely in terms of its cross-sectional size or its format or on its two-dimensional extent, be designed differently and have sizes or different formats from "beer mat size" to "tray size".

As can be seen, for example, from Figures 3a and 3b, the illuminated coaster 1 comprises a base body 2, an illumination unit 3, which is accommodated in a recess 4 provided in the base body 2, and a sheet-like or foil-like securing element 8, via which the 4 of the base body 2 recorded lighting unit 3 is particularly protected, secured in position and fixed pressure-sensitive. The sheet or film-like securing element 8 for securing and fixing the lighting unit 3 can be reused and is fastened to an underside 2.2 of the base body 2 so that it can be removed several times.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the base body 2 of a preferred embodiment of a luminous coaster 1 designed as a beer mat, the flat base body 2 having a predetermined thickness d, which is approximately 3.5 mm in the example shown. The base body 2 of the example shown has an essentially square cross-sectional basic shape with rounded corners and with an upper side 2.1 and an opposite lower side 2.2 and is designed in one piece. A side length of the exemplary base body is in the range between 90 mm and 100 mm and is approximately 93 mm in the case shown, for example. The base body 2 is shown in FIG. 1 in a plan view of the underside 2.2 and in FIG. 2 in a section along the line A-A indicated in FIG.

In the flat base body 2, a recess 4 is provided on its underside 2.2, in a central, approximately central area, which to Bottom 2.2 is open and thus forms an opening in a bottom surface UF of the bottom 2.2, the bottom surface UF running in a first plane El or in a bottom plane and is essentially flat. The elongated recess 4 with a width b and a length I also has a recess depth t, which extends from the underside surface UF or from the first plane El to a bottom 4.1 of the recess 4, the bottom 4.1 of the recess 4 runs in a second plane E2 or in a ground plane. The recess depth t, which essentially corresponds to the distance between the approximately parallel first and second planes El, El, is around 2 mm in the example shown and is therefore slightly more than half the thickness d but less than 60% of the thickness d of the base body 2 a.

The bottom 4.1 of the recess 4 running in the second plane E2 forms a particularly planar and level bottom surface, so that the recess depth t is identical over the entire surface area of the recess 4 and in a particularly precise manner, and in particular with the smallest tolerances or deviations specified value. In other words, the recess depth t is always exactly the same, regardless of the point at which the base 4.1 or the base area the value is viewed or at which point the recess depth t is measured. In the present example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the tolerance or deviation of the recess depth t is less than 1/10 mm.

The exemplary base body 2 according to Figures 1 and 2 is made from a plastic, in particular from a thermoplastic plastic, by means of an injection molding process from a plastic specially suitable for this purpose, the plastic here being in particular a transparent or "clear" plastic in different colors. In this embodiment variant, the base body 2 is therefore a one-piece injection-molded part or injection-molded part.

Approximately in the middle of the recess 4 in the base body 2 of the example shown there is also a recess 11 which extends from the base 4.1 of the recess 4 in the direction of the top side 2.1 of the base body 2 and forms an opening in the base 4.1 of the recess 4. The depression 11 is essentially in the form of a blind hole and extends so far in the direction of the top 2.1 that the top 2.1 is not broken through and the depression 11 or the blind hole is therefore closed on the top 2.1. With its closed end or with its base, the recess forms 11 a transparent surface portion 10 which is part of the top surface OF of the base body 2. This transparent surface section 10 of the upper side 2.1 of the base body 2 in turn provides a translucent area 2a on the upper side 2.1 of the base body 2 or forms this or is part of the same.

The recess 4 together with the recess 11 forms a receiving space for the lighting unit 3 of the light coaster 1, which is described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 6a to 6d.

In the example shown, the recess 4 has a shape specially adapted to the peripheral shape of the lighting unit 3, so that the lighting unit 3 can be accommodated in the recess 4 with a fit or a snug fit. For this purpose, a substantially circular center section 12 is provided in the recess 4, from which two angular edge sections 13, 13' project in the longitudinal direction of the recess 4, namely on two opposite sides of the center section 12 in the longitudinal direction b of the recess 4 reduced edge width. In the example shown, the edge width of the edge sections 13, 13' is approximately 7.7 mm and is therefore reduced compared to the width b, which is approximately 20 mm. The length I of the recess of the example shown is about 24 mm. This forms a receiving space which is optimally matched to and adapted to the shape of the lighting unit 3 (see FIGS. 6a to 6d).

Although not specifically shown in the figures for the embodiment variant of the base body 2 designed as an injection-molded part, the lighting unit 3 is also accommodated in the recess 4 in this variant of the illuminated coaster 1 and secured by the sheet-like or foil-like securing element 8, which can be reused and repeatedly detached is attached to the underside 2.2 of the base body 2, protected, secured and fixed in its position, as is described in connection with the variant according to FIGS. 3a, 4b and 4.

Also not shown in the figures, in the case of the base body 2 produced by injection molding, projections can be provided on its underside 2.2, which protrude beyond the underside surface UF. Such projections can be formed, for example, as one or more annular ribs, preferably arranged concentrically and surrounding the recess 4 . As a result, on the one hand, the stability of the base body 2 can be increased, which is particularly the case with very thin or very flat base bodies 2 is advantageous, and on the other hand, the connection surface, for example also the size of the connection surface for the connection with the sheet or film-like fuse element 8 can be adjusted.

Figures 3a and 3b show an alternative preferred embodiment of the light coaster 1 in a plan view of the top 2.1 of the base body 2 (Figure 3a) and in a plan view of the underside 2.2 of the base body 2 (Figure 3b). The upper and lower sides 2.1, 2.2 of the base body 2 also form corresponding upper and lower sides of the illuminated coaster 1.

As can be seen from Figure 3a, the light-transmitting area 2a is formed on the upper side 2.1, which is formed by an opening 9 in the example shown in Figures 3a, 3b, which forms an opening in the upper side surface OF or in the upper side 2.1. so that the translucent area 2a in this preferred embodiment is provided by an opening, in particular a window-like opening or by an open window or a perforation in the top surface OF or in the top 2.1.

The exemplary base body 2 according to FIGS. 3a and 3b is made from a foam material, in particular from a rigid PVC foam, in particular by means of a machining production process, for example by milling. The PVC rigid foam material can here in particular be a non-transparent material in different colors.

In the view of the underside of the illuminated coaster 1 shown in Figure 3b, it is clear that the sheet-like or foil-like securing element 8 is attached to the underside surface UF or to the underside 2.2 and as a result the underlying in the receiving space of the recess 4 received, indicated in Figure 3b by dashed lines , Lighting unit 3 holds both in place, as well as protects against dirt or mechanical damage and fixed pressure-sensitive.

In the example shown in the figures, the sheet-like or foil-like security element 8 is designed as a self-adhesive sticker, the sticker 8 being connected to the base body 2 via an adhesive connection. With reference to Figure 4, the sticker 8 is shown in isolation according to a preferred embodiment, specifically in a plan view of the base body 2 when in use facing side. The sticker 8, which is essentially round, in particular circular, is dimensioned such that it completely covers the recess 4 in the base body 2, in particular the opening formed by the recess 4 on the underside 2.2 of the base body 2, and at the same time has a circumferential, ring-like edge area 8a or edge section protrudes beyond the recess 4 in such a way that the sticker 8 rests at least with this circumferential, ring-like edge section 8a on the underside surface UF of the underside 2.2 of the base body 2 and is adhesively connected to it.

For this purpose, the sticker 8 is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a predetermined first adhesive strength, at least in the circumferential, ring-like edge region 8a or edge section on its side facing the base body 2, the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the first adhesive strength being selected in such a way that it can be removed and restored several times of the adhesive connection is allowed. It goes without saying that the sticker 8 can also be provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive in its central region, which covers the recess 4 of the base body 2 when in use.

Of course, the self-adhesive sticker 8 described is equally compatible and combinable with the base body 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and can also form the present light coaster 1 together with it.

To simplify handling of the sticker 8 when loosening and restoring the adhesive connection, the sticker 8 has a tab-like removal aid section 8.1, the sticker 8 being free of pressure-sensitive adhesive in the area of its removal aid section 8.1 on the side facing the base body 2. Alternatively, the removal aid section 8.1 can also be provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that has a second adhesive force that is lower than the first adhesive force of that pressure-sensitive adhesive with which the sticker 8 is provided in the circumferential, ring-like edge area 8a or edge section.

A base body 2 corresponding to the embodiment according to FIGS. 3a, 3b is shown again in FIG. 5 in a view from below, from which the recess 4 can be seen in more detail. In the example shown, the recess 4 has an essentially oval basic shape with a width b and a length l and is therefore designed differently in shape from the recess 4 in the example according to FIG Figure 1 designed to accommodate the lighting unit 3. The lighting unit 3 of the present light coaster 1 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6d. The lighting unit 3 comprises at least one electronic component 5 embodied in particular in the form of a flexible printed circuit board or circuit board with at least one LED light source 6 and at least one electrical energy storage device 7 serving as a current or voltage source, which is formed in particular by a battery. In the example shown in the figures, the battery 7 is a CR.2016 button cell with a diameter of around 20 mm. The dimensions of the recess 4 in the base body 2 , in particular the width b of the recess 4 , are matched to the diameter of the battery 7 .

Figures 6a and 6b show a top and bottom view, respectively, of the assembled lighting unit 3, which is also shown in Figure 6d in a section along section line B-B indicated in Figure 6a. The electronic component 5 with the LED illuminant 6 and the battery 7 are shown separately from one another in FIG. 6c.

The electronic component 5 embodied in the form of the flexible circuit board or circuit board is approx. 24 mm long and approx. 7.7 mm wide in the example shown in the figures and is divided into three strip sections in the longitudinal direction by means of two cuts S made there, with the cuts S being do not extend over the entire length of the component 5, so that the strip sections remain connected at the end. The LED illuminant 6 is mounted on the upper side on the central strip section. The electronic component 5 can be embodied as a multilayer circuit board in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The LED lighting means 6 can be attached to the multilayer printed circuit board in a similarly known manner by means of corresponding soldering points.

The flexible electronic component 5 or the printed circuit board can, for example, comprise two conductive metallic layers which are separated from one another by a non-conductive layer, all three layers in turn being encased by an outer, non-conductive, insulating layer and with the encasing however, contact points or contact areas are left free, at which the conductive metallic layers are exposed and accessible.

To assemble the lighting unit 3, the battery 7 is between the

Strip sections of the flexible circuit board 5 used that the top side arranged, the LED illuminant 6 carrying, central strip section is led over the side of the battery 7 forming the positive pole (can be clearly seen in Figure 6a) and the two outer strip sections, in each of which an exposed contact point is formed, over the side forming the negative pole Side of the battery 7 are performed (see FIG. 6b).

The flexible printed circuit board 5 is designed in such a way that it has a predetermined flexural strength, in particular in such a way that the strip sections are sufficiently flexible and bendable so that the battery 7 can be inserted between the strip sections and received there, as described above and in the figures 6a to 6d.

At the same time, however, the flexible circuit board 5, in particular each strip section, has sufficient strength or flexural rigidity so that the battery 7 inserted between the strip sections does not touch the exposed contact points of the strip sections in the rest position and the circuit is not closed, so that the LED light source 6 does not emit light. In this rest position, the lighting unit 3 is accommodated in the recess 4 of the base body 2 and secured by the sheet-like or foil-like securing element 8 .

Furthermore, the flexural strength of the flexible printed circuit board 5, in particular the strip sections, is selected so that the strip sections can be deformed by the application of slight pressure, so that the exposed contact points of the strip sections come into contact with the battery 7, thereby closing the circuit and the LED -Bulb emits 6 light.

In the present light coaster 1, the precisely set recess depth t of the recess 4 in the base body 2 and, in combination with this, the design of the sheet-like or foil-like security element 8 are optimally tailored to the configuration and dimensioning of the lighting unit 3, in particular also to the flexural strength of the flexible electronic component 5 that the LED illuminant 6 does not generate light as long as no object is placed on the illuminated coaster 1, but when an object, in particular a beverage glass or a bottle, is placed on the illuminated coaster 1, the circuit in the lighting unit 3 is closed and via the LED - Bulb 6 light is generated so that the light coaster 1 starts to glow and lights up as soon as an object is placed on it. In particular, due to the precisely and precisely set recess depth t of the recess 4 in the base body 2 in conjunction with the sheet or foil-like security element 8 and the configuration of the lighting unit 3, it is ensured with the present light coaster 1 that the light emission is extremely reliable, safe and reliable in the takes place in the desired manner, namely exactly or always and only when an object is placed on the illuminated coaster 1 .

Reference List

1 light coaster

2 basic bodies

2.1 Top

2.2 Subpage

2a translucent area

3 lighting unit

4 recess

4.1 Bottom of the recess

5 flexible electronic component

6 LED bulbs

8 sheet or foil type fuse element

8.1 Peel Aid Section

8a circumferential, ring-like edge area

9 breakthrough

10 transparent surface section

11 deepening

12 Central section of the recess

13, 13' edge sections of the recess b width of the recess d thickness of the base body

El first level

E2 second level

I Length of recess

OF top surface

S cut t depth of recess

UF underside surface

Claims

patent claims

1. Illuminated coaster (1) for articles, in particular for vessels, such as glasses, bottles or vases, having a flat, essentially plate-shaped base body (2) with an upper side (2.1) having at least one translucent area (2a) and one of the upper side (2.1 ) opposite underside (2.2) and at least one lighting unit (3), wherein the lighting unit (3) comprises at least one electronic component (5) with at least one LED illuminant (6) and at least one electrical energy storage device (7), wherein the base body ( 2) has at least one recess (4) which is open on the underside (2.2) and accommodates the lighting unit (3), and the lighting unit (3) is exchangeably accommodated in the recess (4) in such a way that under the action of a (2.1) of the base body (2), an electrical contact can be made in the lighting unit (3) and the LED illuminant (6) thereby generates light, the light generated via the light-transmitting area connected to the recess (4). (2a) on the upper side (2.1) of the base body (2), and the lighting unit (3) accommodated in the recess (4) in an exchangeable manner can be attached to the underside (2.2) of the base body (2) by means of a reusable and repeatedly detachable attached sheet-like or foil-like securing element (8) is secured in its position and fixed in a pressure-sensitive manner.

2. Illuminated coaster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) is designed in one piece and is made from a plastic or from a foam material, in particular from a PVC rigid foam, the base body (2) preferably having a thickness (i.e ) in a range from around 2 mm to 5 mm, preferably in a range from 2.5 mm to 4 mm and particularly preferably from around 3 mm or around 3.5 mm.

3. Illuminated coaster (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the base body (2) is made of rigid PVC foam by means of a machining manufacturing process or that the base body (2) is made of plastic by means of an injection molding process.

4. light coaster (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recess (4) for receiving the precisely fitting Lighting unit (3) is formed and in particular

Lighting unit (3) is added to fit in the recess (4).

5. light coaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (4) of the base body (2) has an elongated shape with a length (I) and a width (b), wherein the recess (4) in particular is oval or preferably has a substantially circular central section (12) from which two opposite angular edge sections (13, 13') protrude in the longitudinal direction of the recess (4).

6. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (4) of the base body (2) extends from an underside surface (UF) of the underside (2.2) to a bottom (4.1) of the recess (4 ) extending recess depth (t) in a range of 1 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably of around 2 mm.

7. Illuminated coaster (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the recess depth (t) extending from the underside surface (UF) of the underside (2.2) to the bottom (4.1) of the recess (4) has a tolerance deviation of less than 0, 5 mm, in particular less than 0.2 mm and preferably a maximum of 0.1 mm.

8. light coaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top (2.1) of the base body (2) is provided with a decoration, in particular printed directly.

9. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the translucent area (2a) on the upper side (2.1) of the base body (2) has at least one opening opening outwards on the upper side (2.1). (9) is formed, which extends from the bottom (4.1) of the recess (4) to the top (2.1) and breaks through it.

10. Light coaster (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that in the base body (2) further a recess (11) is provided, starting from the bottom (4.1) of the recess (4) in the direction of the Top (2.1) extends and that the translucent area (2a) is formed on the upper side (2.1) of the base body (2) by at least one transparent surface section (10) of the upper side (2.1) defining a base area of the depression (11).

11. Light coaster (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the LED light source (6) is at least partially accommodated in the recess (11) or at least partially in the opening (9).

12. Light coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) has a substantially polygonal, in particular a triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal basic cross-sectional shape, preferably a square cross-sectional basic shape, or that the cross-sectional -Basic shape is round or essentially round or oval or has an irregular free form.

13. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (3) has a plurality of LED lamps (6) and/or that a plurality of recesses (4) are formed in the base body (2), each Recess (4) a lighting unit (3) with one or more LED lamps (6) is added.

14. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet or film-like securing element (8) is designed and connected to the base body (2) in such a way that the lighting unit (3) accommodated in the recess (4) is also protected against moisture and/or moisture and/or dirt, the sheet or film-like security element (8) preferably being water-impermeable and/or having a water- and/or dirt-repellent surface on its side facing away from the base body (2).

15. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet or film-like security element (8) has a cross-sectional size that is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the base body (2), the cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional size of the security element (8) are selected in such a way that the recess (4) in the base body (2) is completely covered by the sheet-like or film-like security element (8) and the security element (8) projects beyond the recess (4) with at least one peripheral edge area (8a) and with the Underside surface (UF) of the underside (2.2) of the base body (2.2) is connected.

16. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet-like or foil-like securing element (8) has a material thickness in a range from around 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.

17. Illuminated coaster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet or film-like security element (8) is designed in the form of a self-adhesive sticker and is connected to the base body (2) via an adhesive connection, the sticker being attached to its dem The base body (2) is provided at least in sections with a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a predetermined first adhesive strength, in order in particular to allow the adhesive connection to be released and restored several times.

18. Illuminated coaster (1) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the self-adhesive sticker (8) has a removal aid section (8.1) which is preferably designed like a tab, the sticker (8) in the region of its removal aid section (8.1) on its base body (2) side facing is free of pressure-sensitive adhesive or is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a second adhesive force, the second adhesive force being lower than the first adhesive force.

19. Light coaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic component (5) of the lighting unit (3) is formed by a multi-layer flexible printed circuit board, the LED lighting unit (6) being soldered to the flexible printed circuit board and that the energy storage device (7) is a battery serving as a current and voltage source, the flexible printed circuit board and the battery being assembled in an arrangement forming the lighting unit (3) in such a way that the electrical contact is made under pressure and thereby a circuit is closed.

20. Set of a light coaster (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and at least one vessel.