Lighted purse

Abstract

A lighted purse which has an efficient light source, so as to prolong battery life. In one embodiment the purse includes a rechargeable battery for a purse light, and a recharging device such as a solar panel, so that the battery is recharged during normal use. The light source used is preferably a low temperature light source, such as a high efficiency miniature lamp bulb, or an electroluminescent strip. Also, a low voltage neon tube can also be used. In a preferred embodiment, the purse has an interior strip for distributing light, and at least one battery-powered light source. The interior strip preferably runs along the central interior bottom, sides, and top. For a zipper purse, the interior strip preferably runs along one side of the zipper. The interior strip is preferably attached to the purse interior using any conventional attachment means such as hook-and-loop fastener material.

1 . A purse having an illuminatable interior, comprising: 
 a purse body;    a power supply;    an illumination means disposed within the purse body; and    means for selectively actuating the illumination means.    
   
   
       2 . A purse according to  claim 1 , wherein the illumination means comprises a lamp and a light distributing member.  
   
   
       3 . A purse according to  claim 2 , wherein the light distributing member is a translucent light conducting strip which extends around the periphery of the interior of the purse.  
   
   
       4 . A purse according to  claim 2 , wherein the light distributing member is a translucent light conducting strip which extends around along the bottom and side walls of the interior of the purse.  
   
   
       5 . A purse according to  claim 2 , wherein the light distributing member is a translucent light conducting strip which extends along the uppermost interior periphery of the purse.  
   
   
       6 . A purse according to  claim 2 , wherein the light distributing member is an electroluminescent strip which generates light when a voltage is applied thereto.  
   
   
       7 . A purse according to  claim 2 , wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       8 . A purse according to  claim 7 , further comprising a solar power panel for supply energy for recharging the rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       9 . A purse according to  claim 7 , further comprising a solar power panel for supply energy for recharging the rechargeable battery; wherein the solar power panel forms at least a portion of a wall of the purse.  
   
   
       10 . A purse having a light source arrangement, comprising: 
 a purse body;    a light source arrangement member; and    a plurality of individual lamps carried by said light source arrangement member.