Lighting device for reusable cups

Abstract

Lighting device (18) for reusable cups (10), comprising a disc-shaped lighting module (20) with fastening means for detachably attaching the lighting module (20) under the cup bottom (14) and at least one light source (22) which is arranged to emit the light towards the top of the lighting module (20) facing the cup bottom (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for reusable cups.

[0002] Devices for illuminating vessels are already known in various embodiments. If the illumination is not provided by an external light source, this can be integrated into the vessel or permanently attached to it. This presents several disadvantages, particularly for drinking vessels. Firstly, these are items that are washed after use and therefore must be correspondingly robust. If electronic components of the lighting device are integrated into the drinking vessel, they would also need to be robust, making the vessel itself disproportionately expensive and complex to produce. Secondly, completely encapsulating a lighting device within the vessel contradicts the principles of sustainability, as an electric light source, including its battery or accumulator, would have to be encapsulated and therefore could not be easily replaced.If the energy source is exhausted, the lighting system can no longer be used.

[0003] This problem is particularly pronounced with reusable cups, which are usually made of plastic. They need to be robust enough to withstand multiple uses and numerous washing cycles. However, there is a need to equip reusable cups with lighting, but this has not been possible at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, it must be considered that even robustly manufactured reusable containers have a relatively limited lifespan.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a lighting device for reusable cups that can be used cost-effectively and sustainably and therefore represents an economically and ecologically acceptable design option.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a lighting device for reusable cups with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The lighting device according to the invention for reusable cups comprises a disc-shaped lighting module with fastening means for detachably attaching the lighting module under the bottom of the cup, and at least one light source which is arranged to emit the light towards the top of the lighting module facing the bottom of the cup.

[0007] The lighting module can be detachably attached to the bottom of the cup, illuminating both the cup and its contents. During use, the lighting unit and the reusable cup form a single unit. After use, the lighting unit can be separated from the reusable cup, allowing the cup to be washed without the lighting unit being subjected to the washing process. This offers the advantage that the lighting unit itself does not need to be excessively robust.

[0008] A further advantage of the invention is that the lighting device can be replaced independently of the cup, for example, if the light source's power source is depleted or the lighting module is defective. A single lighting module can be attached to various reusable cups. Furthermore, it is possible to provide different lighting modules that create different types of lighting, such as different light colors and / or patterns. The lighting device can then be selected according to the user's wishes and can even be replaced while the reusable cup is in use.

[0009] Reusable cups and lighting equipment can therefore be reliably connected for their intended use, but just as easily separated again as desired.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means comprise at least one adhesive agent applied to the top of the lighting module for adhesion to the bottom of the cup. This adhesive agent may be a substance that adheres to the bottom of the cup due to its chemical or physical properties, but can be removed without leaving any residue. The adhesive agent thus allows the lighting module to be reversibly attached to the bottom of the reusable cup. It may, for example, be provided in the form of individual adhesive pads on the top of the lighting module.

[0011] Preferably, the adhesive comprises at least one magnetic adhesive, such as one or more magnetic pads. The cup base can accordingly consist of a magnetic or magnetizable material to which the magnetic adhesive can adhere.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment, the fastening means are provided for clipping, attaching, or releasably screwing the lighting module to the bottom of the cup. In this case, the lighting module is mechanically attached to the bottom of the cup. A snap-fit ​​connection can be provided that engages when the lighting module is pressed against the bottom of the cup, thus ensuring a reliable connection. The snap-fit ​​connection can be released manually if necessary. For releasable screwing, interlocking threads can be provided on the lighting module and the bottom of the cup, or additional screws can be provided that extend into the bottom of the cup.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one light source is arranged centrally in the lighting module, and the fastening means surround the at least one light source.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lighting module comprises a housing with an open or translucent top, in which the at least one light source is housed. The housing can also accommodate a power source such as a battery or accumulator.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lighting module comprises a control unit for controlling the at least one light source and a receiver for receiving wireless control signals. These control signals can originate from an external device that is physically separate from the reusable cup and the lighting module.

[0016] Preferably, the lighting device according to the invention comprises a central transmitter for sending wireless control signals to several lighting modules. This transmitter can be physically separated from the lighting modules, so that it acts as a remote control for several lighting modules. It is therefore possible to control several lighting modules simultaneously by identical control signals, which are received by the respective receivers in the lighting modules and processed by the control device. In this way, identical lighting effects can be generated using several identical lighting modules.

[0017] Preferably, at least one light source is provided for the emission of UV light.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably at least one light source is a light-emitting diode (LED). It is conceivable to create a mixed light by using different light-emitting diodes with different spectral colors.

[0019] The present invention further relates to an illuminateable reusable cup, comprising a cup-shaped container made of plastic with a translucent cup bottom and a lighting device of the type according to the invention, the lighting module of which is detachably mounted under the cup bottom.

[0020] Preferably, the plastic is a fluorescent plastic. This plastic can fluoresce under the influence of light from at least one light source.

[0021] Preferably, the plastic is a plastic that fluorescently glows under UV light.

[0022] Preferably, the cup-shaped container is coated with a black light-reactive layer.

[0023] Preferably, the cup base comprises a layer of magnetic or magnetizable plastic. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a lighting module whose fastening means include at least one magnetic adhesive element, such as integrated magnets or magnetic pads, which can be detachably attached to the layer of magnetic or magnetizable plastic.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of an illuminated reusable cup including a lighting device according to the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the reusable cup made of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective detail view of a lighting device of the reusable cup made of Fig. 1; and Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cup with the lighting device removed.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a reusable cup 10 comprising a cup-shaped container 12 made of plastic and a lighting device 18 attached to its base 14. The cup-shaped container 12 is designed in the usual way approximately frustoconical, with its base 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the cup base) having a smaller diameter than its opening 16. Fig. Figure 1 shows the reusable cup 10 in a position of use in which the base 14 is at the bottom, while its opening 16 is at the top.

[0026] The reusable cup 10 comprises, in addition to the cup-shaped container 12, a lighting device 18 which includes a disc-shaped lighting module 20 that is detachably mounted under the cup base 14. Details of the lighting module 20 are described in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the lighting module 20 comprises four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 22 as light sources and two batteries 24 as power sources for the LEDs 22. The LEDs 22 are arranged in the lighting module 20 such that, in the position in which the lighting device 18 is mounted under the bottom of the cup 14, they emit light towards the upper surface of the lighting module 20 facing the bottom 14. The plastic material of the cup-shaped container 12 is translucent. Since the bottom of the cup 14 is also translucent, the light from the LEDs 22 can penetrate into the interior of the cup-shaped container 12 and illuminate it and its contents.

[0027] The LEDs 22 are arranged centrally on a circuit board on both sides of the batteries 24 within the lighting module 20. The LEDs 22 can produce different light colors, enabling illumination in various colors or the generation of mixed light. Furthermore, the lighting module contains a control unit (not shown) for controlling the LEDs 22.

[0028] According to the invention, the lighting module 20 can be removed from the bottom of the cup 14 and thus replaced. In particular, the cup-shaped container 12 can be cleaned with the lighting module 20 removed, and the lighting module 20 can then be reattached to the bottom of the cup 14.

[0029] The lighting module 20 is detachably attached to the underside of the cup base 14. For this purpose, the lighting module is provided with fasteners 26 comprising adhesive pads 26, which are attached to the top of the lighting module 20 for adhesion to the cup base 14. These adhesive pads 26 are detachably attached to an annular receiving layer 28 on the underside of the cup base 14, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown. This ring-shaped receiving layer 28 allows the adhesive pads 26 to adhere in different rotational positions.

[0030] Various adhesives are conceivable for the adhesive pads 26, allowing the desired removal and reattachment of the lighting module 20 to the cup base 14. Adhesion can be achieved, but magnetic adhesive pads can also be used, while the ring-shaped receiving surface 28 is made of magnetizable or magnetic plastic, for example. The lighting module 20 can thus be removed from and reattached to the cup base 14 without leaving any residue.

[0031] Alternatively, fastening means can be provided for clipping or attaching the lighting module 20 to the cup base 14. Any locking mechanism can be used for this purpose, which securely holds the lighting module 20 to the cup base 14, but can be easily released by hand so that the lighting module 20 can be easily removed, for example, if the cup-shaped container 12 needs to be cleaned. Alternatively, the lighting module 20 can be detachably screwed to the cup base 14, for example, by means of interlocking threads on the lighting module 20 and the cup base 14, or by means of additional screws.

[0032] The lighting module 20 comprises a housing 30 with a translucent top, in which the LEDs 22 and the batteries 14 are housed. The light from the LEDs 22 can be emitted upwards through the base 14 of the housing 30 via the translucent top. Alternatively, the housing 30 could be open at the top, so that the LEDs 22 are exposed at the top of the lighting module 20.

[0033] The cup base 14 is profiled such that the lighting module 20 can rotate, but not be moved laterally. For this purpose, the cup base 14 includes a circumferential groove 32 that surrounds the annular receiving surface 28. The lighting module 20 can be inserted into this groove according to... Fig. 2 a raised ring-shaped outer edge 34 of the housing 30 of the lighting module 20 engage.

[0034] The lighting module 20 can further include a receiver for receiving wireless control signals from an external transmitter. These control signals are processed by the control unit of the lighting module 20 to control the LEDs 22. In this way, remote control of the LEDs 22 is possible. This control can be effected by a central transmitter that sends wireless control signals to several lighting modules 20 of different reusable cups 10, from which the transmitter is physically separate, so that it remotely controls these lighting modules 20. The lighting of several such reusable cups 10 can then be controlled synchronously to produce identical lighting effects.

[0035] The plastic from which the cup-shaped container 12 is made can be a fluorescent plastic that fluoresces under the influence of the light from the LEDs 20. In particular, it can be a plastic that fluoresces under UV light. In this case, at least some of the LEDs 22 can be equipped to emit UV light. The cup-shaped container 12 can also be coated with a black light-reactive layer.

Claims

[1] Lighting device (18) for reusable cups (10), comprising a disc-shaped lighting module (20) with fastening means for detachably attaching the lighting module (20) under the cup bottom (14) and at least one light source (22) arranged to emit light towards the top of the lighting module (20) facing the cup bottom (14). [2] Lighting device (18) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fastening means include at least an adhesive which is attached to the top of the lighting module (20) for adhesion to the bottom of the cup (14). [3] Lighting device (18) according to claim 2, characterized by that the adhesive includes at least a magnetic adhesive. [4] Lighting device (18) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fastening means are provided for clipping or attaching or releasably screwing the lighting module (20) to the bottom of the cup (14). [5] Lighting device (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the at least one light source (22) is arranged centrally in the lighting module (20) and the fastening means surround the at least one light source (22). [6] Lighting device (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting module (20) comprises a housing (30) with an open or translucent top in which the at least one light source (22) is housed. [7] Lighting device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting module (20) comprises a control device for controlling the at least one light source (22) and a receiver for receiving wireless control signals. [8] Lighting device (18) according to claim 7, characterized by a central transmitter for sending wireless control signals to multiple lighting modules (20). [9] Lighting device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one light source (22) is intended to emit UV light. [10] Lighting device (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one light source (22) includes at least one light-emitting diode (LED). [11] Illuminatable reusable cup (10) comprising a cup-shaped container (12) made of plastic with a translucent cup bottom (14) and a lighting device (18) according to one of the preceding claims, the lighting module (20) of which is detachably mounted under the cup bottom (14). [12] Illuminatable reusable cup (10) according to claim 11, characterized by that the plastic is a fluorescent plastic. [13] Illuminatable reusable cup (10) according to claim 12, characterized by that the plastic is a plastic that fluorescently glows under UV light. [14] Illuminatable reusable cup (10) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by , that the cup-shaped container (12) is coated with a black light-reactive layer. [15] Illuminatable reusable cup (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by , that the cup bottom (14) comprises a layer of magnetic or magnetizable plastic.

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