Patent highlights

21 Dec 2005

A festive pick of this year's patent applications including a light scattering bauble and a telescopic Christmas tree.

•  Title: Wireless electric Christmas tree candle
Applicant: Christian Krey and Karl Haberger, Germany
International application number: WO 2005/108855

German inventors believe that their self-contained LED lights, an alternative to traditional wax candles or strings of electrical lamps, could make Christmas safer by avoiding the risk of fire or electrical shock. Powered by a NiH rechargeable battery, each unit contains white and yellow or yellow and red LEDs that can be modulated to give the impression of a flickering candle. The device also includes a photodiode sensor to allow on/off remote control via an infrared LED transmitter. According to the applicants, individual lights should be able to operate for several hours on a single charge. Onboard electronics transform and regulate the LED power supply.

•  Title: Hollow-bodied decorative elements, in particular Christmas tree balls
Applicant: D.Swarovski & Co., Austria
International application number: WO 2005/067769

Austrian optical and cut glass specialist Swarovski has come up with a decorative element that exploits a range of optical phenomena to create coloured and patterned effects. Containing an internal LED light source, the hollow bauble features a partly transparent and semi-reflective wall, which is covered with light scattering or light-refracting particles.

•  Title: Automatically erectable decorative tree
Applicant: Gemmy Industries Corporation, US
International application number: WO 2005/023062

US inventors have devised an electrically-powered artificial Christmas tree that pops-up at the flick of a switch. The telescopic unit, which features a network of light emitting elements, extends from its base up to a height of around 2 m. Made from a mix of polymers and metals, the tree assembly packs flat for easy storage.