Lighted multiple panel display

Abstract

A lighted multiple panel display unit capable of providing a variety of visual effects has layered panels made of light transmitting materials. At least two of the layered panels are spaced apart such that here is a gap between them. Each of the panels comprising a relief. Multiple light sources illuminate at least a portion of the relief of each panel, the light sources being actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the reliefs produce a visual effect. Visual effects which may be produced include a color blending effect, a three-dimensional appearance effect, a morphing effect and a color facing effect.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A lighted multiple panel display unit capable of providing a variety of visual effects, comprising:
 a plurality of layered panels made of light transmitting materials;   at least two of the plurality of layered panels being spaced apart such that there is a gap between them;   each of the plurality of panels comprising a relief;   a plurality of light sources for illuminating at least a portion of the relief of each panel, the light sources being actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the reliefs produce a visual effect selected from the set comprising: a color blending effect, a three-dimensional appearance effect, a morphing effect or a color fading effect.   
     
     
         2 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of layered panels is a curved panel. 
     
     
         3 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the at least one of the plurality of layered panels that is a curved panel is cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the at least one of the plurality of layered panels that is a curved panel forms a conic section. 
     
     
         5 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of layered panels are curved, and each of the plurality of layered panels has an axis, and the plurality of axes are coaxially aligned. 
     
     
         6 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the curved panels are generally cylindrical and nested, and the panel display unit is adapted to accept a vessel within a space formed by the innermost panel. 
     
     
         7 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the vessel is one selected from the set consisting of: a can, a bottle, a glass, a cup or an insert. 
     
     
         8 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a base, the base housing the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         9 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of layered panels are non-planar. 
     
     
         10 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a first one of the plurality of layered panels and a second one of the plurality of layered panels are the same shape. 
     
     
         11 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a first one of the plurality of layered panels is nested at least partially within a second one of the plurality of layered panels. 
     
     
         12 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a first one of the plurality of layered panels has a first cross-section, and wherein a second one of the plurality of layered panels has a second cross-section, and wherein the first cross-section and the second cross-section are the same shape. 
     
     
         13 . The panel display unit as in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of light sources is selected from the set comprising: a light emitting diode (LED), fiber optics, or natural light. 
     
     
         14 . The panel display unit as in  claim 1  wherein the light transmitting materials is selected from the set comprising: acrylic, plastic or glass. 
     
     
         15 . The panel display unit as in  claim 13  wherein the plurality of light sources are LEDs, and at least one of the LEDs is directionally angled within the plane of the panel at other than a 90 degree angle. 
     
     
         16 . The panel display unit as in  claim 13  wherein the plurality of light sources are LEDs, and wherein at least one panel has three different colored LEDs associated therewith to create a variety of color within the at least one panel. 
     
     
         17 . The panel display unit as in  claim 16  wherein each LED of the three different colored LEDs has its intensity controlled through an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The panel display unit as in  claim 17  wherein the integrated circuit is controlled by pulsing the signal. 
     
     
         19 . The panel display unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first relief includes a first message, and a second relief includes a second message, the panel display further comprising a switch for switching between a display comprising the first message and a display comprising the second message. 
     
     
         20 . The panel display unit of  claim 19  wherein the switch is configured to be manually controlled. 
     
     
         21 . The panel display unit of  claim 19  wherein the switch is adapted to be controlled automatically. 
     
     
         22 . The panel display unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a timer for controlling at least one of the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
         23 . The panel display unit of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of light sources comprise one or more white lights shined through filters into the edge of the panels, the panel display further comprising a shutter adapted to control at least one of the brightness or color of the light sources. 
     
     
         24 . The panel display unit as in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of light sources illuminates at least a portion of at least one relief by edge lighting the panel associated with the relief. 
     
     
         25 . The panel display unit as in  claim 1  wherein the gap is substantially uniform across the at least two of the plurality of layered panels being spaced apart. 
     
     
         26 . The panel display unit as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the gap is at least 0.1 millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . A lighted display capable of providing a visual effect, the lighted display comprising:
 a first display formed of light transmitting material, the display including a relief having a first portion and a second portion;   a first light for illuminating at least the first portion of the relief;   a second light for illuminating at least the second portion of the relief;   wherein the first portion of the relief is more brightly illuminated by the first light than the second portion of the relief, and wherein the second portion of the relief is more brightly illuminated by the second light than the first portion of the relief; and   the first and second lights being illuminated such that the relative brightness of the first portion with respect to the second portion changes over time, thereby creating a visual effect.   
     
     
         28 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein the first display comprises a panel, and wherein the panel has a front side and a rear side, the relief being included on the rear side of the panel; the lighted display further comprising a frame having a front side and a rear side, the frame orienting the panel to present a view of the relief through the front side of the panel. 
     
     
         29 . The lighted display of  claim 28  wherein the panel further comprises a second relief, the second relief being included on the front side of the panel. 
     
     
         30 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein at least one relief is positive. 
     
     
         31 . The lighted display of  claim 30  wherein the at least one relief that is positive is formed from at least one selected from the set comprising: printing, stickers, decals or appliqué. 
     
     
         32 . The lighted display of  claim 30  wherein at least one relief is negative. 
     
     
         33 . The lighted display of  claim 32  wherein at least one of the at least one relief that is negative is formed from at least one selected from the set comprising: etching, engraving, injection molding or sand blasting. 
     
     
         34 . The lighted display of  claim 33  wherein the at least one of the at least one relief that is negative is of varying depth. 
     
     
         35 . The lighted display of  claim 27 , wherein the first light and the second light are different color lights. 
     
     
         36 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein the display is formed from at least one flat panel. 
     
     
         37 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein the display is formed from at least one cylindrical panel. 
     
     
         38 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein the display is formed from at least one rectangular block of light-transmitting materials. 
     
     
         39 . The lighted display of  claim 27  wherein the display is formed from a square block of light-transmitting materials. 
     
     
         40 . A lighted display capable of providing a visual effect, the display comprising:
 a first display of light transmitting material comprising a first relief and a second relief;   a first light illuminating at least a portion of the first the relief more brightly than any portion of the second relief;   a second light illuminating at least a portion of the second relief more brightly than any portion of the first relief;   the first and second lights being adapted to be illuminated such that at least one characteristic of the relative illumination of the at least a portion of the first relief with respect to the at least a portion of the second relief changes over time, thereby creating a visual effect.   
     
     
         41 . The lighted display of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the relative illumination is selected from the set of: color or brightness. 
     
     
         42 . A lighted multiple panel display unit capable of providing a variety of visual effects, comprising:
 a plurality of layered panels made of light transmitting materials, each of the plurality of panels having a first and second narrow edge and a first an second broad edge, each of the first and second broad edges being longer than each of the first and second narrow edges;   each of the plurality of panels comprising a relief;   a plurality of light sources for illuminating at least a portion of the relief of each panel, the light sources being actuated in a manner such that the reliefs produce a visual effect selected from the set comprising: a color blending effect, a three-dimensional appearance effect, a morphing effect or a color fading effect;   at least one of the plurality of panels having the associated relief being illuminated by one or more light sources proximal to the at least one of the first and second broad edges.