Illumination – With container – Bag – purse or trunk
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-17
2004-11-30
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With container
Bag, purse or trunk
C362S551000, C362S554000, C362S555000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06824291
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to illumination of pocketbooks; and more particularly, to a method and means for illuminating a pocketbook interior to enable easy access to its internal contents and facilitate their safe, timely retrieval even in dimly lit or darkened conditions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art workers have struggled to devise illuminating devices suitable for use in pocketbooks, book bags, luggage and the like. Some of these illuminating devices can be separated to function as a handy light. Others are integrally connected to the associated bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,179,214 discloses an illuminating device for pocketbooks or like receptacles. It comprises a light attached to the flap of a pocket book powered by a set of batteries. A slide fastener actuates electrical conductors passing through one of the sides of the pocketbook compartment. The illuminating device is external to the pocketbook compartment. Minimal illumination is provided to the pocketbook contents. The high temperature light bulb tends to damage contents of the pocketbook, and is likely to burn the user's skin if brought into direct contact therewith.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,218,396 discloses an illumination device for pocketbooks. The illuminating light is attached to a flap on a pocketbook and illuminates the contents of the pocketbook from an external location. A rectangular plate holds the illuminating lamp. The plate has an aperture inside the pocketbook through which the lamp is viewable. Illumination is thereby provided whether or not the pocketbook is closed. A rectangular window is additionally provided for external illumination. The lamp is actuated by sliding a closure switch. Its power emanates from a set of batteries positioned at the bottom of the pocketbook and connected to the illuminating light and switch by means of conducting metallic wires. Owing to the external bulb location and the relatively small window aperture, only a small portion of the pocketbook is illuminated. To overcome this inefficient illumination arrangement, the light must be very bright causing operation thereof at a high temperature. Such temperatures increase chances for damage to the pocketbook contents and will likely injure uses upon contact. Battery power is quickly consumed limiting the illumination time.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,300,108 discloses an illuminating mechanism for handbags. The illuminating device is affixed to the one of the frames of a handbag, overnight bag, suitcase or the like. An illuminating means is embedded in a metallic plate securely held by the frame. Passed through an opening in the plate is an illuminating bulb for illuminating the interior of the bag. The bulb is energized by spring contacts, which close an electrical circuit when the frames of the bag are moved apart from one another. Illumination is accomplished from a location external to the bag's interior. As a result, the illumination provided to the pocketbook's interior contents is minimal.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,387 discloses an illuminated handbag. A pocket construction is affixed to the inside wall of the bag, which contains two rows of batteries. Also affixed to the inside wall are a bulb and an actuating mechanism, which turns on the light when the bag is opened. The illuminating light is affixed near the bottom of the pocket construction, shining light to the contents of the handbag. Mounting is accomplished by a pocket construction affixed to one of the side walls of the handbag. The illuminating bulb is mounted on the bottom of the pocket construction, and directs the light toward the contents of the handbag when the bulb is activated. Illuminating light is directed in one direction solely, causing objects to shadow each other. As a consequence, complete visibility of the handbag contents is impeded. The high temperature bulb and its location inside a pocket within the handbag's interior tends to melt heat sensitive objects such as lipstick, or ignite flammable articles such as tissue paper. Hand contact with the hot bulb may cause skin damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,480 discloses a handbag illuminating device. A common flashlight is attached to the bottom of a handbag, brief case or the like. The handbag has an opening in the bottom to attach the flashlight, which is turned on in the usual way. Such a device is not used as an illuminating device to view the contents of a pocketbook. It consumes substantial power, and is large, heavy and expensive. If left in the “on” condition for an appreciable time period, the flashlight develops heat likely to damage the pocketbook contents.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,427,201 discloses a handbag light. Means are disclosed for illuminating the handbag's interior. Two batteries are connected in series. Metallic wires passing through a switch connect the battery to a light bulb held within containment “F”. The containment “F” shields the light bulb from direct view; but limits illumination of the handbag contents to those directly below the light. The light illuminates objects directly below it through the containment “F”. Objects thus illuminated may shadow each other, preventing full visibility of articles contained by the handbag. The containment prevents the hot light bulb from direct contact with objects in the handbag. However, it tends to prevent the light bulb from illuminating many objects within the interior of the handbag. Construction requirements imposed by the illuminated handbag cause the illuminating bulb to be distant from many of the handbag objects, limiting illumination of objects there within.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,558,606 discloses a purse light. A compact illuminating device in the form of flashlight with two batteries and a centrally located illuminating bulb with a transparent member directs light onto the contents of a purse. The flashlight device is removable; and can be inserted into a receptacle on the inner side wall of a purse. Manual activation of the flashlight is accomplished by movement of a switch on the flashlight body. The bulb carries a reflecting and focusing transparent member that downwardly directs light from the bulb to illuminate the contents of a purse. Inasmuch as bulb illumination is directed downwards solely, objects in the purse can shadow each other, limiting the user's ability to see them. Light available for illumination is limited due to the distance between the flashlight and the purse contents. The focusing element encases the high-temperature flashlight bulb, and prevents direct contact of purse contents with the hot bulb.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,201 discloses a lady's lighted handbag. The back wall of a handbag is provided with a channel within which are enclosed a set of batteries, electrical connections and bulbs. A corrugated reflecting mirror directs the illuminating light towards the bottom of the handbag. The illuminating light bulbs are turned “on” by a switch
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. Since the light bulbs are expected to be hot, any contact between the lighted bulbs with heat sensitive contents of the handbag will result in melting or product deterioration. Moreover, physical contact with these bulbs may cause skin damage or ignition of flammable material, such as tissue paper. If the handbag is suddenly inverted, objects in the handbag may impact the illuminating bulbs, causing bulb breakage and production of glass shards. Since bulb illumination is directly downwards solely, objects in the purse can shadow each other preventing full visibility of handbag contents. The large distance between the bulbs and the bag contents results in poor illumination unless the bulbs are run at high intensity levels, which would increase bulb temperatures and likely damage heat sensitive contents of the handbag.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,489 discloses an illuminable handbag. An incandescent illuminating light affixed to one of the side walls of a handbag is rotated to point light in any direction within a plane parallel to the side wall surface. The light is encased in a cup shaped shield having o
Monck Joan M.
Monck Paul
Vautrin Michelle
Buff Ernest D.
Ernest D. Buff & Associates LLC
Nerasimhan Dave
Sember Thomas M.
Truong Bao Q
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