The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 14, 2013
Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Kansas City, MO (US);
Timothy J. Lien, Lenexa, KS (US);
Gerald J. Holland, Kansas City, MO (US);
Robert E. Morley, Raymore, MO (US);
Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Kansas City, MO (US);
Abstract
A container having an internally directed audible output actuated by removal of a stopper is described. The container includes a hollow body with an open mouth and a base that includes a speaker and control electronics. A sensor is provided that is configured to detect presence of the stopper in the open mouth of the container. In one embodiment the sensor is comprised of a normally open electrical circuit formed by a pair of opposing arrays of electrical traces disposed within the mouth. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises an infrared light source and sensor that detects an amount of internally reflected infrared light within walls of the body. In yet another embodiment, the sensor comprises a device which detects the presence and/or absence of a magnetic field. Upon detection of removal of the stopper, an audible output is produced by the speaker into the container body and is perceivable by nearby users.