Container sleeve apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

A container sleeve apparatus includes an arcuate or cylindrical body that can be positioned on a cylindrical or conical container, such as a tumbler, cup, can or bottle. A transparent or translucent insert section that can be releasably attached to the sleeve body. The sleeve body can be made of a non-slip, elastic material, such as neoprene rubber. The insert section can be made of plastic, and can include a logo printed or engraved thereon. The apparatus can include a light emitting device that illuminates the transparent/translucent insert section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container apparatus comprising:
 (a) a container adapted for containing a beverage, the container comprising a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall having a top edge defining an opening in the container; and   (b) a light assembly comprising at least one light emitting device contained within a housing releasably attached to the container proximate the base, the at least one light emitting device positioned to emit light upwardly into the container.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a flexible printed circuit board, a light emitting diode, and an illuminated fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly comprises a power source contained within housing and operatively connected to the light emitting device to supply power to the light emitting device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the power source comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a battery and a solar cell. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the light assembly further comprises an on/off mechanism operatively connected to the light emitting device, wherein engaging the on/off mechanism causes the light emitting device to emit light. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the on/off mechanism comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a button and a switch. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base and the sidewall are transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a tumbler. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a top lid releasably attached to the container for covering the opening defined by the top edge of the sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light emitting device comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a first threading is formed on an outer surface of the sidewall and a second threading is formed on an inner surface of the housing of the light assembly, the first threading and the second threading adapted for complementary engagement with each other, whereby the light assembly is releasably attached to the container by engagement of the first threading with the second threading. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the first threading comprises female threading and the second threading comprises male threading. 
     
     
         14 . A container apparatus comprising:
 (a) a container adapted for containing a beverage, the container comprising a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall having a top edge defining an opening in the container; and   (b) a top lid releasably attached to the container proximate the top edge of the sidewall of the container, the top lid comprising at least one light emitting device positioned in the top lid to emit light downwardly into the container.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a flexible printed circuit board, a light emitting diode, and an illuminated fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power source contained within the top lid and operatively connected to the at least one light emitting device to supply power to the light emitting device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the power source comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a battery and a solar cell. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising an on/off mechanism operatively positioned in the top lid and connected to the light emitting device, wherein engaging the on/off mechanism causes the light emitting device to emit light. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall of the container is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a first threading is formed on an outer surface of the sidewall and a second threading is formed on an inner surface of the housing of the top lid, the first threading and the second threading adapted for complementary engagement with each other, whereby the top lid is releasably attached to the container by engagement of the first threading with the second threading.