Illuminated holder for a beverage container

Abstract

A cup-shaped beverage container holder ( 10 ) has a cutout ( 16 ) in a desired shape or form in a sidewall ( 14 ). A light source ( 18 ) is fitted into or adjacent the cutout and can provide one or more colors when energized. A battery ( 20 ) fits in a base ( 12 ) of the holder and a pressure switch ( 24 ), also installed in the base, is activated by the weight of a set in the holder to complete a circuit and turn “on” the lights. A programmable controller ( 28 ), also powered by the battery affects turning the lights “on” and “off” simultaneously, or in a predetermined sequence.

1 . A beverage container holder comprising: 
 a cup shaped holder having a bottom and a sidewall in which a can or bottle is placed;    a cutout formed in the sidewall in a desired shape or form;    a light source fitted into the space formed by the cutout; and,    a power source energizing the light source.    
   
   
       2 . The holder of  claim 1  in which the light source is comprised by one of a lamp, an LED, or an optical cable.  
   
   
       3 . The holder of  claim 1  in which the light source can provide only one color or a plurality of colors.  
   
   
       4 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the power source is a battery mounted in a cavity in a base of the holder.  
   
   
       5 . The holder of  claim 4  further including a pressure switch installed in the base of the holder and responsive to the weight of a beverage container placed in the holder to complete an electric circuit to activate the light source and provide illumination.  
   
   
       6 . The holder of  claim 4  further including a pressure switch installed in the sidewall and responsive to the force exerted on the holder by someone seizing the holder to lift the beverage container to complete an electric circuit to activate the light source and provide illumination.  
   
   
       7 . The holder of  claim 4  further including a manually operable “on-off” switch installed in the holder for completing an electric circuit, when switched to the “on” position to activate the light source and provide illumination.  
   
   
       8 . The holder of  claim 1  further including a plurality of cutouts formed in the sidewall in a desired shape or form, and a light source fitted into the space formed by each cutout.  
   
   
       9 . The holder of  claim 1  further including a programmable controller for illuminating the light source in a predetermined sequence.  
   
   
       10 . The holder of  claim 1  further including a panel fitted in the cutout with the light source being adjacent the cutout to illuminate the panel.  
   
   
       11 . The holder of  claim 10  in which the light source is adjacent one side of the cutout for illuminating the panel.  
   
   
       12 . The holder of  claim 11  in which the light source is adjacent two or more sides of the cutout for illuminating the panel.  
   
   
       13 . The holder of  claim 10  in which the panel includes a design illuminated by the light source.  
   
   
       14 . The holder of  claim 1  further including a moisture absorbing sleeve fitted inside the holder to absorb moisture from the beverage container.  
   
   
       15 . A beverage container holder comprising: 
 a sleeve adapted to fit about the beverage container;    at least one cutout formed in the sleeve in a desired shape or form;    a light source fitted into the space formed by the cutout; and,    a power source energizing the light source.    
   
   
       16 . A beverage container holder comprising: 
 a sleeve adapted to fit about the beverage container;    at least one cutout formed in the sleeve in a desired shape or form;    a panel installed in the cutout;    a light source installed in the sleeve adjacent the cutout for illuminating the panel; and,    a power source energizing the light source.    
   
   
       17 . The beverage container holder of  claim 16  in which the light source is adjacent one side of the cutout for illuminating the panel.  
   
   
       18 . The beverage container holder of  claim 17  in which the light source is adjacent two or more sides of the cutout for illuminating the panel.  
   
   
       19 . The beverage container holder of  claim 16  in which the panel includes a design illuminated by the light source.