Lighted items

Abstract

A lighted item according to exemplary embodiments may generally include a light-conducting/light-transmission portion, which, in turn, may include and/or integrally define one or more indicia. The lighted item may also include a light-transmissive portion. The lighted item may also include at least one light source positioned to emit light into the light-conducting/light-transmission portion, which, in turn, may then conduct or transmit light to the one or more indicia for highlighting the one or more indicia. Light may also be conducted or transmitted through the light-conducting/light-transmission portion to the light-transmissive portion for highlighting an element (e.g., edible, drinkable, confection, non-consumable, etc.).

1 . A lighted item comprising a light-conducting portion including one or more indicia having at least one side edge portion, a light-transmissive portion, a consumable, and at least one light source positioned to emit light into the light-conducting portion such that the light-conducting portion conducts light emitted by the light source to the at least one side edge portion of the one or more indicia thereby highlighting the one or more indicia and such that the light-conducting portion conducts light emitted by the light source through the light-transmissive portion thereby highlighting said consumable, whereby light emitted by the light source is channeled within a material thickness of the light-conducting portion generally at the at least one edge portion of the one or more indicia, and the light-conducting portion having means for inhibiting light from inadvertently escaping out of the light-conducting portion thereby increasing the amount of available light that highlights the one or more indicia, wherein the one or more indicia are integrally formed with a sufficient thickness dimension relative to the light-conducting portion for altering light emitted by the light source into the light-conducting portion. 
     
     
         2 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the consumable is fit for human consumption by drinking or eating. 
     
     
         3 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more indicia are integrally formed at a sufficient depth into the light-conducting portion for altering light emitted by the light source into the light-conducting portion. 
     
     
         4 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more indicia are integrally formed in the light-conducting portion at an acute angle relative to a direction at which light emitted by the light source is transmitted through the light-conducting portion. 
     
     
         5 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the consumable includes one or more indicia highlighted by light emitted by the light source and passing through the light-transmissive portion into the consumable. 
     
     
         6 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the lighted item includes a holding device for holding the consumable, the holding device including at least one sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the at least one sidewall including the one or more indicia and the light-conducting portion, wherein the light source is disposed within the holding device to emit light into the at least one sidewall, whereby light emitted by the light source is channeled generally between the inner and outer surfaces of the at least one sidewall generally at the at least one edge portion of the one or more indicia for highlighting the one or more indicia, and wherein the holding device defines a power source receptacle configured to receive at least one power source and electrically connect the power source to the light source. 
     
     
         7 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the lighted item includes at least one graphic element, and the one or more indicia are positioned to accentuate at least a portion of the graphic element when the one or more indicia are highlighted by light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         8 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed within the light-conducting portion, and wherein the light-conducting portion defines a power source receptacle configured to receive at least one power source and to electrically connect the power source to the light source. 
     
     
         9 . The lighted item of  claim 8 , wherein the light-conducting portion includes at least one flexible portion coupled to a switching device such that movement of the flexible portion switchably connects the light source to the power source. 
     
     
         10 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , further comprising electrical terminals external to the lighted item for switchably connecting the light source to a power source when a user's body electrically connects the terminals to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein the lighted item includes a cup defining the light-conducting portion and electrical terminals positioned within the cup for switchably connecting the light source to a power source when an electrically conductive consumable liquid in the cup electrically connects the terminals to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The lighted item of  claim 1 , wherein said means for inhibiting light comprises at least one or more of:
 a substantially opaque portion of the light-conducting portion; or   a reflective portion of the light-conducting portion; or   a faceted portion of the light-conducting portion; or   a portion of the light-conducting portion configured to conduct at least some of the light through the interior of the light-conducting portion by successive internal reflections.   
     
     
         13 . A lighted item comprising a light-transmissive element, at least one light source positioned to emit light through the light-transmissive element, one or more indicia integrally formed in the light-transmissive element to receive light emitted by the light source via the light-transmissive element and to alter the light for highlighting the one or more indicia, the one or more indicia being integrally formed with a sufficient thickness dimension such that the light is captured by one or more edges of the one or more indicia, and a consumable positioned to receive light emitted by the light source via the light-transmissive element for highlighting the consumable, wherein the one or more indicia are integrally formed at an angle of about ninety degrees or less relative to a direction at which light emitted by the light source is being transmitted through the light-transmissive element. 
     
     
         14 . The lighted item of  claim 13 , wherein the consumable is fit for human consumption by drinking or eating. 
     
     
         15 . The lighted item of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more indicia are etched in the light-transmissive element at an acute angle relative to the direction of travel of the light. 
     
     
         16 . The lighted item of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more indicia are etched in the light-transmissive element at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the direction of travel of the light. 
     
     
         17 . The lighted item of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more indicia are integrally formed at a depth into the light-transmissive element. 
     
     
         18 . A lighted tableware piece comprising a handle including a light-transmissive portion and a light-conducting portion, and at least one light source positioned to emit light into the light-conducting portion such that the light-conducting portion channels light emitted by the light source within a material thickness of the light-conducting portion to another portion of the lighted tableware piece to thereby highlight said another portion of the lighted tableware piece and such that the light-conducting portion channels light emitted by the light source through the light-transmissive portion to thereby highlight an element engaged to the lighted tableware piece. 
     
     
         19 . A lighted item comprising at least one light source and at least one sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the at least one sidewall defining an opening sized to receive a beverage container at least partially therein such that the lighted item is positionable generally around at least a portion of the beverage container, the at least one sidewall including a light-conducting portion positioned to receive light emitted by the light source such that light is channeled generally between the inner and outer surfaces of the at least one sidewall to thereby highlight another portion of the lighted item. 
     
     
         20 . A lighted label configured to couple to a beverage container, the lighted label including inner and outer surfaces defining a light-conducting portion and at least one light source positioned to emit light into the light-conducting portion such that light emitted by the light source is channeled generally between the inner and outer surfaces for highlighting another portion of the lighted label. 
     
     
         21 . A lighted coaster comprising at least one sidewall having a light-conducting portion, and at least one light source positioned to emit light into the light-conducting portion such that light emitted by the light source is channeled within the lighted coaster for highlighting another portion of the lighted coaster. 
     
     
         22 . A combination including the lighted coaster of  claim 21  and a placemat defining an opening sized to receive the lighted coaster, the placemat including a light-transmissive portion, and wherein the light source is positioned within the lighted coaster to direct light through a light-transmissive portion of the lighted coaster and the light-transmissive portion of the placemat when the lighted coaster is positioned within the opening of the placemat.