Container assembly

• US 9,181,023 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2013
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: So Y. Clinton
• Original Assignee: So Y. Clinton
• Inventors: Clinton, So Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US13/849,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20140284238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 962 Days
• Field of Search: 206 37- 39, 206/457, 206/459.1, 116/200, 116/216, 340/5.2, 340/384.1, 340/517, 340/568.1, 340/568.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/365 Containers, or parts thereof, simulating or being incorporated into other items, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building, dumb bells B65D81/363, B65D81/368 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/60 for sweets or like confectionery products
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles

Abstract

A container assembly includes sensors to detect events that occur in proximity to the container including thermal energy changes, light variances, and movement. For example, an item placed in or removed from an open end of the container, movement of the container, and shadows that pass over an open end of the container. The sensors detect the event then transmit a signal to a measuring or control instrument to trigger a predetermined illumination and/or audio signal. The sensors embed in a base portion of the container, operatively joining with a processor. Sensors include photocells for light, passive infra-red for temperature, and omni-directional sensors for movement. In this manner, movement, changes in temperature and light cause an illumination portion to emit light, and an audio portion to emit an audio signal to provide animation and safety features for the container.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a container, said container being configured to store at least one item;

at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being disposed to join with said container, said at least one sensor being configured to at least partially detect at least one event in proximity to said container, said at least one sensor being operable to communicate an indication of said at least one event, said at least one sensor comprising a motion sensor, said motion sensor being operable to at least partially detect motion and communicate an indication of said motion, said at least one sensor further comprising a thermal sensor, said thermal sensor being operable to at least partially detect thermal energy and communicate an indication of said thermal energy, said at least one sensor further comprising an illumination sensor, said illumination sensor being operable to at least partially detect illumination and communicate an indication of said illumination;

an illumination portion, said illumination portion being operable to emit an illumination in response to said at least one event; and

an audio portion, said audio portion being operable to emit an audio signal in response to said at least one event.

2. The assembly of claim 1, in which said container comprises a Halloween basket.

3. The assembly of claim 1, in which said container comprises an open end, said open end being configured to enable said at least one item to at least partially enter said container.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is operable to detect at least partial entry of said at least one item through said open end.

5. The assembly of claim 1, in which said at least one item comprises candy, and/or a hand, and/or a shadow.

6. The assembly of claim 1, in which said container comprises a handle portion, said handle portion being configured to help transport said container.

7. The assembly of claim 1, in which said container comprises a base portion, said base portion being configured to at least partially cover said at least one sensor, and/or said illumination portion, and/or said audio portion.

8. The assembly of claim 1, in which audio portion comprises a speaker, said speaker being configured to magnify said audio signal.

9. The assembly of claim 1, in which audio portion comprises an audio switch, said audio switch being configured to actuate said audio portion, said audio switch further being configured to at least partially suppress said audio signal.

10. The assembly of claim 1, in which said illumination portion comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes being operable to emit light at least partially through said container, said plurality of light emitting diodes being disposed to position in a circular series for forming a jack-o-lantern face.

11. The assembly of claim 1, in which said illumination portion comprises an illumination switch, said illumination switch being configured to actuate said illumination portion, said illumination switch further being configured to at least partially suppress said illumination.

12. The assembly of claim 1, in which said thermal sensor comprises a passive infra-red sensor, said passive infra-red sensor being operable to at least partially detect slight variances in temperature.

13. The assembly of claim 1, in which said motion sensor comprises an omni directional tilt and vibration sensor, said omni directional tilt and vibration sensor being operable to at least partially detect vibrations, and/or tilting from a plurality of directions.

14. The assembly of claim 1, in which said illumination sensor comprises at least one photocell.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said illumination portion, and/or said audio portion operatively join with said at least one sensor.

16. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a processor portion, said processor portion being configured to process detections and/or communications from said at least one sensor.

17. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a power switch, said power switch being configured to actuate said illumination portion, and/or said audio portion, and/or said at least one sensor.

18. The assembly of claim 1, in which said assembly comprises a power source, said power source comprising a battery.

19. A container comprising:

means for grasping a handle portion of a container;

means for positioning at least one item at least partially through an open end of said container;

means for detecting thermal energy and communicating an indication of said thermal energy from a thermal sensor;

means for tilting and/or vibrating said container;

means for detecting thermal motion and communicating an indication of said motion from a motion sensor;

means for illuminating said container with an illuminating portion; and

means for generating an audio signal from an audio portion.

20. A container consisting of:

a container, said container comprising an open end, said container further comprising a handle portion, said container further comprising a base portion, said container being configured to store at least one item;

at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being disposed to join with said container, said at least one sensor being configured to at least partially detect at least one event in proximity to said container, said at least one sensor being operable to communicate an indication of said at least one event, said at least one sensor comprising a motion sensor, said motion sensor being operable to at least partially detect motion and communicate an indication of said motion, said motion sensor comprising an omni directional tilt and vibration sensor, said omni directional tilt and vibration sensor being operable to at least partially detect vibrations, and/or tilting from a plurality of directions, said at least one sensor further comprising a thermal sensor, said thermal sensor being operable to at least partially detect thermal energy and communicate an indication of said thermal energy, said thermal sensor comprising a passive infra-red sensor, said passive infra-red sensor being operable to at least partially detect slight variances in temperature, said at least one sensor further comprising an illumination sensor, said illumination sensor being operable to at least partially detect illumination and communicate an indication of said illumination, said illumination sensor comprising at least one photocell;

an illumination portion, said illumination portion being operable to emit an illumination in response to said at least one event, said illumination portion comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes being operable to emit light at least partially through said container, said plurality of light emitting diodes being disposed to position in a circular series for forming a jack-o-lantern face, said illumination portion further comprising an illumination switch, said illumination switch being configured to actuate said illumination portion, said illumination switch further being configured to at least partially suppress said illumination;

an audio portion, said audio portion being operable to emit an audio signal in response to said at least one event, said audio portion comprising a speaker, said speaker being configured to magnify said audio signal, said audio portion further comprising an audio switch, said audio switch being configured to actuate said audio portion, said audio switch further being configured to at least partially suppress said audio signal;

a processor portion, said processor portion being configured to process detections and/or communications from said at least one sensor;

a power switch, said power switch being configured to actuate said illumination portion, and/or said audio portion, and/or said at least one sensor; and

a power source, said power source comprising a battery.