WO1996013686A1

WO1996013686A1 - A transparent electrical device powered by decorative batteries that are viewed through the device

Info

Publication number: WO1996013686A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/012491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Leake; Albert O. Cota
Original assignee: Leake Michael J; Cota Albert O
Priority date: 1994-10-31
Filing date: 1994-10-31
Publication date: 1996-05-09
Also published as: AU1085495A

Abstract

An electrical device (10) constructed of a transparent material having a section that houses a power source that is visible through the transparent section. Typical devices (10) include a key-chain flashlight that is powered by a pair of side-by-side batteries (14) and an elongated flashlight that is powered by a pair of end-to-end batteries (14). In all cases, the batteries are wrapped in a decorative cover (16) that adds to the aesthetics of the device (10). The decorative cover (16) may also include, on a portion of the cover (16), a coupon cover (20) that is redeemable for various valuable items. Additionally, the decorative cover (16) can also include a company logo or phrase (18) in which case, the device is particularly suitable for a give-away premium item.

Description

A TRANSPARENT ELECTRICAL DEVICE

POWERED BY DECORATIVE

BATTERIES THAT ARE VIEWED THROUGH THE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of battery operated devices and more particularly to devices constructed of a transparent material that allows batteries with decorative indicia to be viewed through the transparent device.

BACKGROUND ART

The utility offered by battery powered devices and appliances is well known and accepted. Typical devices include various types and styles of flashlights and lanterns while appliances, include small portable liquid blenders, pencil sharpeners and various other portable household and office devices and appliances.

In all cases, the structural housing for these devices and appliances is made of an opaque material usually a high impact plastic or a metal. The housing is typically finished in a neutral color so that the device blend into and fit the decor of most homes and offices.

A search was conducted by reviewing various office and household catalogs, and visiting several department stores and other specialty stores to determine the various types and designs available for portable devices and appliances. The search did not uncover any devices or appliances that were constructed of transparent materials and that housed visible batteries that were embellished with a decorative cover and/or other type of indicia.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention is comprised of two basic elements: a battery operated device or appliance that is housed in a transparent housing, and at least one battery that powers the device and that is wrapped in a decorative battery cover.

The device and appliance can take various forms and provide various functions. The devices and appliances applicable to the invention, typically include key-chain flashlights, small elongated flashlights, transistor radios, pencil sharpeners, portable blenders and a myriad of other such devices and appliances. The transparent structure housing the device and appliance can be manufactured from a clear plastic or glass with an acrylic plastic proffered. Within this structure is located a section that is dimensioned to house either two side-by-side batteries or two end-to-end batteries. In all cases, the two batteries are wrapped in a decorative battery cover that when viewed through the transparent section adds considerably to the aesthetics of the device or appliance.

The decorative battery cover can be made to include various combinations of geometric figures, lines and other indicia. Additionally, the cover can include a company logo or phrase which makes the device especially suitable for use as a giveaway premium item. Further, when two or more batteries comprise the power source, one of the batteries may be wrapped in a valuable coupon that can be redeemed at any time for valuable merchandise or cash. Alternatively, when two or more decorated batteries are used, they can have a portion of their total surface wrapped with a coupon cover. In either coupon wrapping design, the addition of the coupon adds value to the device or appliance and makes the item easier to sell by both the manufacturer and the retailer.

In view of the above disclosure, it is the primary object of the invention to produce a device or appliance that is made of a transparent housing and that encloses at least one decorated battery that is visible through the housing. In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a marketing concept that can be applied to numerous types and sizes of battery operated transparent devices.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a key-chain flashlight constructed of a transparent housing, a section of which encloses a pair of side-by-side decorative batteries that are visible through the transparent housing.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an elongated flashlight constructed of a transparent housing, a section of which houses a pair of end-to-end decorative batteries that are visible through the transparent housing.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of a cylindrical battery that is wrapped in a decorative cover. FIGURE 4 is an elevational CΓOBS section of a cylindrical battery wrapped in a decorative cover.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of a cylindrical battery wrapped in a decorative cover.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of a cylindrical battery wrapped in a decorative cover that includes a company logo.

FIGURE 7 is an end view of a cylindrical battery that is initially wrapped in a decorative cover. Over a portion of the decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 8 is an elevational cross section of a cylindrical battery initially wrapped in a decorative cover. Over a portion of the decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a cylindrical battery initially wrapped in a decorative cover. Over a portion the decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of a cylindrical battery initially wrapped in a decorative cover. Over a portion of the decorative cover is then wrapped a second coupon cover.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a lantern battery initially wrapped in a decorative battery cover. Over a portion of the decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a transistor battery initially wrapped in a decorative battery cover. Over a portion of the decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 13 is an end view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where both batteries are individually wrapped in a decorative cover.

FIGURE 14 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where both batteries are individually wrapped in a decorative cover.

FIGURE 15 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where both batteries are initially wrapped in a decorative battery cover. Over a portion of %he decorative cover is then wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 16 is an end view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where one battery is wrapped in a decorative cover and the other battery is wrapped in a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 17 is an end view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where both batteries are initially wrapped in a decorative cover and thereafter a first cover having indicia is placed on one side of the batteries and on the opposite side is located a second cover having indicia.

FIGURE 18 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in a side-by-side configuration where both batteries are initially wrapped in a decorative cover and thereafter a first cover having indicia is placed over a portion of one side of the batteries.

FIGURE 19 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in an end-to-end configuration where both batteries are wrapped in a decorative battery cover.

FIGURE 20 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in an end-to-end configuration where one battery is wrapped in a decorative battery cover and the other battery is wrapped in a company logo or phrase cover.

FIGURE 21 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in an end-to-end configurat ion where each battery is initially wrapped in a decorative battery cover and over a section of both batteries is wrapped a first coupon cover. FIGURE 22 is an elevational view of a pair of batteries in an end-to-end configuration with one of the batteries wrapped in a company logo or phrase cover.

FIGURE 23 is an end view of a power pack having four batteries placed in a side-by-side configuration where at least one of the batteries is wrapped in a first coupon cover and the remaining batteries are each wrapped in a decorative battery cover.

FIGURE 24 is an end view of a power pack having four batteries placed in a side-by-side configuration where each battery is wrapped in a decorative battery cover and around a portion of the entire power pack is wrapped a first coupon cover.

FIGURE 25 is a sectional view showing three end-to-end batteries each initially wrapped in a decorative battery cover. Over the entire three batteries is then wrapped a single decorative battery cover or a company logo or phrase cover.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the inventive device 10 is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment that is comprised of the following major elements: a transparent housing 12, at least one battery 14, a decorative battery cover 16, a company logo or phrase 18, a first coupon cover 20, a second coupon cover 22, a first cover 24, a second cover 26, at least two side-by-side batteries 30, at least two end-to-end batteries 32 and a power pack 34.

The transparent housing which is preferably constructed of a clear plastic is applicable to numerous devices 10 or appliances 10. In FIGURES 1 and 2 are shown two such devices 10. In FIGURE 1, is illustrated a key-chain flashlight 10 that is powered by a power source consisting of two decorative side-by-side batteries 30 and in FIGURE 2 is illustrated a typical elongated flashlight 10 that is powered by a power source consisting of two decorative end-to-end batteries 34. For illustrative purposes, the device 10 is shown in two flashlight designs. However, the invention is applicable to any battery powered device 10 or appliance that can be made of a transparent material a section of which is used to house the embellished batteries which are also referred to as BATTERY ART

The various battery groupings available for the decorative battery 14 or batteries 14 are illustrated in FIGURES 3-25. In FIGURES 3-12 are illustrated various configurations of single batteries 14 that vary in size and power requirements. In FIGURES 3-10 are shown typical elongated circular batteries 14, in FIGURE 11 is shown a typical 6-volt lantern battery 14 and in FIGURE 12 is shown a typical 9-volt transistor bat tery 14 .

In FIGURES 3 and 4 is shown a single circular battery 14 that is wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16. The decorative cover can be made of a plastic material or a metallized foil as shown in FIGURE 5. The embellishment can consist of any aesthetically pleasing color with or without an additional aesthetic design. To further add to the premium market utility of the invention, a company logo or phrase 18 can be imprinted on the decorative battery cover 16 as shown in FIGURE 6.

One of the featured elements of the inventive designs that increase the value of the device 10 for both a retailer and a consumer is a redeemable first coupon cover 20 and a second coupon cover 22.

The first coupon cover 20 is designed to be wrapped around a portion of the battery 14 and decorative cover 16 as shown in FIGURES 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12. The first coupon cover 20 as shown in FIGURE 12, can also be oriented to include a company logo 18. The second coupon cover 22 is designed to be a peel-off type that is attached to a side of a battery 14 and battery cover 16 as shown in FIGURE 12.

The basic invention of having a transparent structure 12 that houses an aesthetically decorative battery power source that may include a redeemable valuable coupon 20,22 and that can be viewed through the transparent structure can be described by reference to a single battery 14 as disclosed above. However, to further enhance the utility and scope of the invention, it is also described with reference to a power source consisting of at least two side-by-side batteries 30; at least two end-to-end batteries 32; and a power pack 34 consisting of at least four batteries placed in a side-by-side configuration. The least two side-by-side batteries 30 are shown in FIGURES 13-18. In FIGURES 13 and 14, two batteries 14 are shown that are each wrapped in a decorative cover 16. In FIGURE 15, is shown two decorative covered batteries that further have a first coupon cover 20 wrapped around a portion of the two decorative batteries 14. When the coupon 20 is removed for redemption for either a new set of decorative batteries 14, or for some other valuable item, the full scope of the decorative battery cover 16 can be viewed through the transparent housing 12. In FIGURE 16, one of the batteries 14 is wrapped in a decorative cover 16 and the other battery 14 is wrapped in a first coupon cover 20. In FIGURES 17 and 18 is shown a modification of the side-by-side batteries in which an first cover 24 having indicia is placed on one side of the side-by-side batteries 30 and on the opposite side of the side-by-side batteries is located a second cover 26 that includes complimentary indicia. The covers 24,26 can consist of various forms of indicia. For example, the first cover 24 can consist of a picture of an athlete and the second cover 26 of a list of the athletes statistics or, the first and second covers 24,26 can consist of various complimentary personal indicia.

The configuration of the device that uses end-to-end batteries 32 is shown in FIGURES 19-22. In all these figures, only two batteries are shown, however, it is to be understood that any number of series batteries 14 can be used to practice this embodiment of the inventive device 10.

In FIGURE 19 is shown two end-to-end batteries that are each wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16.

In FIGURE 20, one of the batteries 14 is wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16 and the other battery is covered in a wrapping that depicts a company logo and phrase 18. In FIGURE 21, both batteries is 14 are wrapped in decorative battery cover 16 and a portion of each battery is wrapped in a first coupon cover 20. In FIGURE 22, both batteries are wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16 and one of the end-to-end batteries is further wrapped in a cover that depicts a decorative company logo or phrase 18.

In FIGURES 23 and 24 is shown a power pack that includes at least four batteries 14 placed in a side-by-side configuration. At least one of the batteries 14 is wrapped in a first coupon cover 20 and the remaining batteries 14 are each wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16. As shown in FIGURE 24, a grouping of four batteries 14 are each wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16 and around a portion of the entire power pack 34 is wrapped a first coupon cover 20.

The final power source disclosed is a "power stick" 36 that includes at least three batteries 14 that are placed in an end-to-end configuration as shown in FIGURE 25. Each of the three batteries 14 is wrapped in a decorative battery cover 16 and around the entire power stick 36 is wrapped either a decorative battery cover 16 or a company logo or phrase cover.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications an forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical device constructed of a transparent material having a section that houses a power source which is visible through the transparent section.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said electrical device is comprised of a key-chain light source that is powered by a power source comprising two side-by-side batteries.

3. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said electrical device is comprised of an elongated flashlight that is powered by a power source comprising two end-to-end batteries.

4. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a single battery that is wrapped in a decorative cover.

5. The device as specified in claim 4 wherein said decorative cover comprises an embellished foil.

6. The device as specified in claim 5 wherein said decorative cover further comprises a company logo or phrase.

7. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein said decorative cover further comprises a first coupon cover wrapped around a portion of said battery.

8. The device as specified in claim 6 wherein said decorative cover further comprises a second coupon cover attached to one side of said battery.

9. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least two side-by-side batteries that are each wrapped in a decorative cover.

10. The device as specified in claim 9 further comprising a redeemable coupon cover wrapped around a portion of said at least two side-by-side batteries.

11. The device as specified in claim 9 wherein one of 3aid batteries is wrapped in a decorative cover and the other battery is wrapped in a coupon cover.

12. The device as specified in claim 9 wherein on one side of said side-by-side batteries is located a first cover that includes indicia and on the opposite side of said side-by-side batteries is located a second cover that includes complimentary indicia.

13. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least two end-to-end batteries that are each wrapped in a decorative cover.

14. The device as specified in claim 13 wherein one of said end-to-end batteries is wrapped in a decorative cover and the other battery is wrapped in a coupon cover.

15. The device as specified in claim 13 wherein each said end-to-end battery is wrapped in a decorative cover and a portion of each said battery is wrapped in a coupon cover.

16. The device as specified in claim 13 wherein each said end-to-end battery is wrapped in a decorative cover and one of said end-to-end batteries further comprises a decorative cover comprising a company logo or phrase that is wrapped around a portion of one of said batteries.

17. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a power pack consisting of at least four batteries placed in a side-by-side configuration, where at least one of said batteries is wrapped in a first coupon cover and the remaining batteries are each wrapped in a decorative battery cover.

18. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a power pack consisting of at least four batteries placed in a side-by-side configuration, where each said battery is wrapped in a decorative battery cover and around a portion of the entire power pack is wrapped a first coupon cover.

19. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a power stick consisting of at least three batteries placed in an end-to-end configuration, where each battery is wrapped in a decorative battery cover and around the entire power stick is then wrapped a decorative battery cover or a company logo or phrase cover.