Illuminated Tray for Containers

• US 20090021956A1
• Filed: 07/16/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andries Willem Grobler, Leon C. Keynhane
• Original Assignee: Andries Willem Grobler, Leon C. Keynhane
• Inventors: Keynhane, Leon C., Grobler, Andries Willem
• Application Number:
  US11/778,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20090021956A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/554
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/08 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/06 Serving trays service tables A47B31/00

Abstract

An illuminated display tray comprising a base, an outer perimeter defining a top and bottom, at least one cavity adapted to receive at least one lighting means, a power means mounted in a recess formed in the bottom and operably connected to the lighting means, a switch mounted on the top and operably connected to the lighting means and power means, and a container having a base in association with the top, the lighting means adapted to direct light up and through the top and the associated container.

Claims

1. A tray for displaying containers comprising:

a translucent base having an outer perimeter defining a top and a bottom, a cavity means disposed on the bottom and retaining a lighting means positioned to emit light through the base, and a power means operably connected to the lighting means.

2. A tray according to claim 1 wherein:

the bottom further comprises a support dimensioned so as to extend beyond the power means, and the top has a flange extending upwardly from the outer perimeter.

3. A tray according to claim 1 wherein:

the lighting means comprises at least one light-emitting diode operably connected to the power means.

4. A tray according to claim 1 wherein:

the lighting means comprises an array of light emitting diodes, the cavity means is an array of cavities disposed on the bottom wherein each cavity is adapted to receive an individual one of the light emitting diodes.

5. A tray according to claim 4 wherein:

the tray has a switch mounted on the top and operably connected to the power means and the plurality of light emitting diodes such that the switch is co-operably operable with containers placed on the tray to energize or de-energize the lighting means.

6. A tray according to claim 1 wherein:

the lighting means comprises a light source for emitting light, a fiber optic element having an input for receiving light from the light source and an output for emitting light received from the light source, the cavity means adapted to receive the output.

7. A tray for displaying containers comprising:

a translucent base having an outer perimeter defining a top and a bottom, a cavity means disposed on the bottom adapted to receive a fiber optic element output, a light source for emitting light through the base, a fiber optic element comprising a plurality of fiber optic strands and each strand having a strand input for receiving light from the light source and a strand output for emitting light received from the light source, and the outputs in the aggregate form the fiber optic element output.

8. A tray and container system comprising:

the tray further comprising a base having an outer perimeter defining a top and a bottom;

at least one support means positioned on the bottom;

a plurality of cavities formed in the base and a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein each cavity is adapted to receive an individual one of the plurality of light emitting diodes;

a power means mounted in a recess formed in the base bottom;

a switch mounted on the top and operably connected to the power means and the plurality of light emitting diodes;

a quadrilateral pyramidally disposed container having four triangular sides, a quadrilateral base in removable association with the top, and an apex;

a flange disposed on the top and extending upwardly from the outer perimeter;

the plurality of light emitting diodes positioned to direct light upwardly through the top and the container, wherein the power source provides power to the plurality of light emitting diodes when the container is in association with the top.