GB2027249A - Display or novelty device - Google Patents

Abstract

A novelty device, particularly for personal wear, consists of a casing 7 containing a lamp. The casing has a front panel 2 of transparent or preferably translucent material which is covered with a selectively removable opaque layer, e.g. of deposited aluminium, except where this layer has been removed, e.g. by a scriber, to give an illuminated line 1 or other pattern. The lamp in the casing may be flashing. When illuminated, the back lighting of line 1 or pattern will stand out clearly from the opaque background formed by the layer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved display or novelty device The invention relates to display or novelty devices which can be illuminated to provide information or act as a decoration.

According to the invention, there is provided a display or novelty device comprising a casing containing a lamp, a substantial part of the casing being the form of a laminate of transparent or translucent material covered by selectively removable opaque material.

The casing may for instance be in the shape of a heart, particularly where it is designed as a novelty device for personal wear. Clearly, the casing can take any suitable form where it is being used for an advertising display device, in which case it could in some way represent the goods being displayed if re quires.

In a preferred embodiment, the transparent or translucent material is a plastics material and the opaque material is a metal deposited thereon by any suitable technique. The opaque material is preferably removable by means of a scriber or like device, but may be arranged to be chemically removed, particularly if a fairly complex pattern or design is to be formed by the removal.

The lamp may be actuated by a suitable switch on the outside of the casing and powered by a battery within the casing and if required, the circuitry may include means for making the lamp flash intermittently.

In one embodiment of the invention, a panel of light-transmitting material, which may be coloured, such as for example translucent acrylic, is provided with an opaque film adhering thereto on the viewer's side. Such films may be formed for example by vacuum metallizing with aluminium to give a "silver" appearance.

This thin film is partially removed by scraping or scribing or by other means such as chemical action to form the inscription which may for example consist of an insigna, drawing, logo, name, written message, or signature.

Back lighting will illuminate the inscription with the light-transmitting material, if coloured, acting as a filter. The inscription stands out vividly from the background on being illuminated.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of novelty device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section of the device of Fig. 1.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a thinly scribed line 1 forms the inscription on a front panel 2 of a generally heart shaped box 7. The scribed line 1 looks colourless and is hardly noticeable by the naked eye.

When illuminated by a lamp 5 shown in the sectional view of Fig. 2, the translucent material 4 transmits the light to the scribed apertures in the opaque film 3 with the inscription now back-lit and very strikingly visible to the viewer, indicated at 6.

The light source may be intermittent, flashing on and off, and the panel 4 may be coloured as may be required to heighten the information or decorative effect.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, instead of a novelty device for personal wear, the invention may also be applicable to information display devices for advertising or other purposes.

1. A display or novelty device comprising a casing containing a lamp, a substantial part of the casing being the form of a laminate of transparent or translucent material covered by selectively removable opaque material.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is in the shape of a heart and is a novelty designed for personal wear.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the transparent or translucent material is a plastics material and the opaque material is a metal deposited thereon.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the lamp is attached by a battery within the casing.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the circuitry includes means for making the lamp flash intermittently.

6. A display or novelty device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved display or novelty device The invention relates to display or novelty devices which can be illuminated to provide information or act as a decoration. According to the invention, there is provided a display or novelty device comprising a casing containing a lamp, a substantial part of the casing being the form of a laminate of transparent or translucent material covered by selectively removable opaque material. The casing may for instance be in the shape of a heart, particularly where it is designed as a novelty device for personal wear. Clearly, the casing can take any suitable form where it is being used for an advertising display device, in which case it could in some way represent the goods being displayed if re quires. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent or translucent material is a plastics material and the opaque material is a metal deposited thereon by any suitable technique. The opaque material is preferably removable by means of a scriber or like device, but may be arranged to be chemically removed, particularly if a fairly complex pattern or design is to be formed by the removal. The lamp may be actuated by a suitable switch on the outside of the casing and powered by a battery within the casing and if required, the circuitry may include means for making the lamp flash intermittently. In one embodiment of the invention, a panel of light-transmitting material, which may be coloured, such as for example translucent acrylic, is provided with an opaque film adhering thereto on the viewer's side. Such films may be formed for example by vacuum metallizing with aluminium to give a "silver" appearance. This thin film is partially removed by scraping or scribing or by other means such as chemical action to form the inscription which may for example consist of an insigna, drawing, logo, name, written message, or signature. Back lighting will illuminate the inscription with the light-transmitting material, if coloured, acting as a filter. The inscription stands out vividly from the background on being illuminated. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of novelty device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section of the device of Fig. 1. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a thinly scribed line 1 forms the inscription on a front panel 2 of a generally heart shaped box 7. The scribed line 1 looks colourless and is hardly noticeable by the naked eye. When illuminated by a lamp 5 shown in the sectional view of Fig. 2, the translucent material 4 transmits the light to the scribed apertures in the opaque film 3 with the inscription now back-lit and very strikingly visible to the viewer, indicated at 6. The light source may be intermittent, flashing on and off, and the panel 4 may be coloured as may be required to heighten the information or decorative effect. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, instead of a novelty device for personal wear, the invention may also be applicable to information display devices for advertising or other purposes. CLAIMS

1. A display or novelty device comprising a casing containing a lamp, a substantial part of the casing being the form of a laminate of transparent or translucent material covered by selectively removable opaque material.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is in the shape of a heart and is a novelty designed for personal wear.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the transparent or translucent material is a plastics material and the opaque material is a metal deposited thereon.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the lamp is attached by a battery within the casing.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the circuitry includes means for making the lamp flash intermittently.

6. A display or novelty device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.