LED Bottle Cap with Translucent Panel for Liquid Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bottle caps for clear plastic bottles do not provide an entertaining and convenient way to illuminate the liquid and the bottle, nor do they offer a means to display advertisements, making them inconvenient to carry and lacking in novelty features.
Innovation Solution
A multi-colored LED lighting apparatus integrated into a removable cap that projects light energy into the bottle and can incorporate an external advertisement display, using a translucent panel to isolate the liquid from the lighting device and allowing for hands-free carrying with a lanyard mount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional removable cap is used to seal the bottle opening, then the bottle can be easily opened and closed, but the cap cannot provide lighting functionality or advertisement display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sealing, lighting, and advertisement display) into a single cap assembly. The light source, battery, and advertisement panel are integrated within the cap structure, allowing it to serve both as a functional closure and an entertainment/advertisement device simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the bottle opening like a conventional cap, provides illumination through integrated LEDs to light up the liquid and create visual effects, and displays advertisements on its exterior surface, making it a multi-functional device that combines utility with entertainment and marketing.
2Illumination intensity
If a light source is placed inside the cap to illuminate the liquid, then the liquid and bottle can be illuminated for entertainment, but the light source may come into contact with the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translucent panel as an intermediary element between the light source and the liquid. This panel allows light to pass through to illuminate the liquid while simultaneously acting as a protective barrier that prevents the electrical components from contacting the liquid, thus maintaining both illumination functionality and electrical safety.
3Reliability
If the cap is made opaque to protect internal components, then the electrical apparatus is protected from liquid, but light cannot pass through to illuminate the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with different transparency properties in different regions. The exterior surface and certain internal components are opaque to protect electrical apparatus and provide advertisement display, while the panel facing the liquid is translucent to allow light transmission. This localized variation in optical properties enables both protection and illumination functions to coexist.
4Reliability
If a lens is added to prevent liquid contact with the light source, then the electrical apparatus is protected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent panel serves dual purposes: it acts as a protective barrier preventing liquid contact with the light source and electrical components, while simultaneously functioning as a light transmission medium that allows illumination of the liquid. By combining protection and light transmission in a single component, the need for separate lens elements is eliminated, reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a visually appealing light display within the bottle and an external advertisement, enhancing user experience and convenience by allowing hands-free carrying, while being durable, inexpensive, and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
battery operated light emitting diodes (LED's) that flash in brilliant color to entertain and amuse the purchaser
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a transparent jar filled, or at least partially filled, with water, the lantern is created by utilizing standard items carried by campers, with the water dispersing the light into the ambient environment
Implementation Method 3
with the water dispersing the light into the ambient environment
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted bottle cap apparatus replaces a conventional threaded bottle cap to provide an entertaining light display externally of the bottle and also through the liquid contained within the bottle. The cap apparatus incorporates a battery powered lighting device that utilizes LED's to direct light energy into and away from the bottle. An optional advertising display can be formed as part of the cap apparatus to be illuminated from the lighting device. An alternative embodiment provides a central opening through the cap apparatus to allow the liquid within the bottle to be dispensed therethrough. The lighting device is oriented to direct light energy into the discharged liquid. An adaptor incorporating a translucent panel allows the standard cap apparatus to be connected to multiple bottle configurations. The adaptor has first and second sets of threads separated by the translucent panel to seal the lighting device from the liquid in the bottle.