U.S. patent application number 11/471959 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for illuminated liquid soap dispenser.
Invention is credited to Mary Kay Bitton.
Application Number | 20070007304 11/471959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37617384 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070007304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bitton; Mary Kay |
January 11, 2007 |
Illuminated liquid soap dispenser
Abstract
An illuminator for illuminating liquid transparent or opaque
liquid containers. The container is either positioned on top of the
illuminator and receives illumination from the illuminator in order
to light up the container or else contains the illuminator entirely
inside the container. Once illuminated, the container can serve as
a decorative piece within any room within which it is contained.
The container can also serve as a light source in any dark
room.
Inventors: |
Bitton; Mary Kay; (Westlake
Village, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROCKETT & CROCKETT
24012 CALLE DE LA PLATA
SUITE 400
LAGUNA HILLS
CA
92653
US
|
Family ID: |
37617384 |
Appl. No.: |
11/471959 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10923137 |
Aug 19, 2004 |
|
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11471959 |
Jun 20, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 8/035 20130101;
F21V 33/004 20130101; F21S 10/002 20130101; F21V 23/0442 20130101;
B65D 2203/12 20130101; B05B 11/30 20130101; F21S 9/02 20130101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/113 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/66 20060101
B65D005/66 |
Claims
1. An illuminating dispenser comprising: a transparent container
defining a dispensing volume; liquid contained within the
dispensing volume; and illumination means contained within the
dispensing volume for illuminating the dispenser comprising an LED,
a battery operably connected to the LED for energizing the LED and
a switch operably connected to the LED to control the application
of electrical power to the LED wherein at least a portion of the
switch is contained outside of the transparent container.
2. The illuminating dispenser of claim 1 wherein the liquid
contained within the dispensing volume is liquid soap.
3. The illuminating dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a
motion sensor.
4. The illuminating dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a
photosensor.
5. An illuminating dispenser comprising: a transparent container
defining a dispensing volume; liquid soap contained within the
dispensing volume; and illumination means contained within the
dispensing volume for illuminating the soap comprising an LED, a
battery operably connected to the LED for energizing the LED and a
switch operably connected to the LED to control the application of
electrical power to the LED wherein at least a portion of the
switch is disposed outside of the transparent container.
6. The container of claim 5 further comprising a motion sensor.
7. The illuminating dispenser of claim 5 further comprising a
photosensor.
8. A method of illuminating a room comprising the following steps:
providing an illuminating dispenser comprising a transparent
container defining a dispensing volume; a liquid contained within
the dispensing volume; and illumination means contained within the
dispensing volume for illuminating the dispenser comprising an LED,
a battery operably connected to the LED for energizing the LED and
a switch operably connected to the LED to control the application
of electrical power to the LED wherein at least a portion of the
switch is disposed outside of the transparent container; and
engaging the illumination dispenser via the external switch to
illuminate the dispenser.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/923,137 filed Aug. 19, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] The inventions described below relate to illuminators of
liquid soap containers or other transparent or opaque liquid
containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0003] Liquid soap comes in variously styled containers. The
containers can vary in size and dimensions depending on where the
liquid soap is to be used. Kitchen soap containers are generally of
larger dimensions in order to contain a greater volume of soap.
Bathroom soap containers are often smaller because they are not
used as frequently and require smaller portions at each use.
Additionally, they are often of a more stylized configuration
because they can be prominently displayed in the bathroom.
[0004] The soap container is usually stored or displayed on any
conventional bathroom or kitchen storage location where it lays
unmoved until used. The container is often displayed in a place on
the counter that can be observed prominently from many different
locations in the room.
[0005] New and inventive ways to display the soap containers is
always being sought. In addition, although the market for liquid
soap and its associated containers is large, continued sales volume
depends on innovative designs, and marketing techniques for
disposable liquid soap containers. Thus, complimentary devices for
use with disposable liquid soap containers are needed.
SUMMARY
[0006] The devices and methods described below provide for an
illuminator for liquid soap containers or other transparent or
opaque liquid containers. The container can be sized and
dimensioned of any configuration preferable to the user. The
container may be positioned on top of the illuminator that is
capable of supporting the container. The illuminated container may
also contain a light source that is embedded within the container
at any desirable location. For example, the light source may be
embedded on either the top or bottom of the container. The
illuminator provides any color or colors of light that are
aesthetically pleasing in order to illuminate the soap container.
Once illuminated, the container can serve as a decorative piece
within any room in which it is contained. Also, if contained within
a soap dispenser, the illuminator can serve as a scheme to entice
children to use the soap and wash their hands. Alternatively, the
illuminated container can serve the purpose of providing a night
light source in a dark room. For example, the container can
illuminate a dark bathroom where a person may enter in the middle
of the night.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a bottle with a light source in the bottom;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a bottle with a light source in the cap;
[0009] FIG. 3a illustrates a cube shaped illuminator;
[0010] FIG. 3b illustrates a cube shaped illuminator positioned in
the bottom of the container;
[0011] FIG. 4a illustrates a disc shaped illuminator;
[0012] FIG. 4b illustrates a container positioned on a disc shaped
illuminator; and
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration with an alternative
activator for the illuminator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a container with an illuminator 14 built into the
bottom of the container 18. In this configuration, the light source
is contained within the bottom portion of the container. The light
source is contained on the bottom portion of the container and is
separated from the liquid 20 by a waterproof divider 27. The
container is illuminated by the light source. The container can be
translucent or merely opaque so that at least a small amount of
light can pass through the container and illuminate the
container.
[0015] The illuminator 14 contains a battery 30, at least one LED
32 and a switch 34. The battery 30 is operably connected to the LED
and serves as the energizing source for illuminating the LED. The
switch 34 is operably connected to the LED 32 to control the
application of electrical power to the LED. At least a portion of
the switch 34 is disposed outside of the transparent container for
access by the user.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottle with a light source in the cap. In this
configuration, the illuminator or light source 13 is contained
within the cap 15 of the bottle or container 18.
[0017] FIG. 3a is a cube shaped illuminator. The outer casing of
the illuminator 11 is clear, which allows for light to pass through
and illuminate the container. The entire illuminator housing 11 is
capable of being contained entirely within a container.
[0018] FIG. 3b illustrates the cube shaped illuminator positioned
in the bottom of the container 18. The container is capable of
sustaining the entire cube shaped illuminator 11 either within the
container or else within a recessed portion in the bottom of the
container.
[0019] FIG. 4a is a disc shaped illuminator capable of sustaining a
container. The illuminator 11 is comprised of a housing with a top
platform surface having an opening for light to pass through the
housing, a bottom base surface, side surfaces, and a light source
contained within the housing. The housing has a top flat platform
surface 12 capable of containing a liquid soap dispenser. The
housing also has a bottom base surface adapted for positioning on a
display surface. The housing can be comprised of any type of
material that is capable of sustaining the weight of the container.
The top platform surface 12 has an opening 14 that allows for
illumination of the housing through the opening. The container is
releasably secured or positioned on top of the illuminator
housing.
[0020] FIG. 4b illustrates a container positioned on a disc shaped
illuminator. The bottom surface of the container is releasably
secured to the top platform surface 12 of the illuminator. The
illuminator housing is capable of sustaining the weight of the
container along with any soap contained within the container. The
container 18 has a discharge end for release and discharge of the
liquid within the container by a user. The container can be
entirely transparent or translucent.
[0021] Alternatively, the container may be merely opaque to allow
for only a small amount of light to pass through the container. The
container contains liquid 20 that can be any color. When the light
source is activated, the light passes through the opening of the
top platform surface and into the liquid container. Once the light
source is transmitted through the container, it illuminates the
container.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration with an alternative
activator for the illuminator. The illuminator 14 contains the
battery 30, one LED 32 and a switch 34. Additionally, either a
photo sensor or motion sensor 36 is contained for activation of the
illuminator. When the switch is turned on, the illuminator is
lighted once the activator senses either motion or light.
[0023] The light source can be illuminated by any standard
illumination method where multiple uses are required. For example,
the light source can be an electronic circuit incorporated into a
circuit board, a switch LED, battery operated LED, motion activated
LED, mechanically activated LED, rotatably activated LED,
chemi-luminescent light source, a battery supplying electrical
current to a light emitting diode, or a low voltage bulb. Where the
light source is a simple electric circuit, the circuit can have any
conventional battery power a simple LED to provide the light source
within the housing. Any LED used within the housing should be a low
power consumption LED to maximize the life of the LED and to avoid
overheating. The light source emits a light bright enough to shine
through the opening in the top surface of the illuminator housing.
The light then passes through the opening into the container so
that the container is illuminated.
[0024] In use, a user places the illuminating dispenser on a
desired surface. The user engages a switch that is disposed at
least partially outside the container and accessible by the user.
Once the switch has been engaged, the switch energizes the
illuminator to illuminate the container and the liquid contained
within the container. The illuminator can be disengaged and the
illuminator turned off once the user no longer desires
illumination. The illuminator can be an LED and battery operably
connected to the LED for energizing the LED. Alternatively, a
motion activated or photosensor LED can be used. The motion
activated LED is operably connected to the battery and can be
activated by the user with the switch to engage the LED when motion
is detected. The photosensor LED is activated when the switch is
turned on and the lights are off.
[0025] Thus, while the preferred embodiments of the devices and
methods have been described in reference to the environment in
which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the
principles of the inventions. The illuminator may be useful for
soap dispensers as well as perfume dispensers. Other embodiments
and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit
of the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *