Device providing coordinated emission of light and volatile active

• US 20050169666A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Belongia, David C., Froehlich, Thomas, Porchia, Jose, Wolf, Jeffrey J., Niederberger, Mark, Mackey, Kara J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/111
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/02 with devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/04 Attracting insects by using illumination or colours A01M1/08 and A01M1/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources

Abstract

A flameless candle that releases a volatile active includes at least one LED positioned in a tip (106), a cartridge mount (128), and a support structure (102, 141). The at least one LED emits a flickering light that emulates a flame of a candle. The cartridge mount (128) receives and secures a replaceable cartridge (104a) containing a volatile active to be released into the atmosphere over time. The support structure (120, 141) supports the at least one LED and the cartridge mount (128). The support structure (120, 141) is configured to allow airflow across the replaceable cartridge (104a) when the replaceable cartridge (104a) is mounted in the cartridge mount (128).

Claims

1. A flameless candle that releases a volatile active, said candle comprising:

at least one LED that emits a flickering light that emulates a flame of a candle;

a container mount for receiving and securing a replaceable container containing a volatile active to be released into the ambient environment over time; and

a support structure for supporting said at least one LED and said cartridge mount,

wherein said support structure is configured to allow air flow across the replaceable container when the replaceable cartridge is mounted in said cartridge mount.

2. The flameless candle according to claim 1, further comprising a power source disposed on said support structure for supplying power to said at least one LED.

3. The flameless candle according to claim 1, further comprising control circuitry disposed on said support structure for controlling said at least one LED to emit the flickering light.

4. The flameless candle according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture is formed through the support structure, the at least one aperture allowing air to flow across the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said container mount.

5. The flameless candle according to claim 1,

wherein said support structure comprises a chassis and a holder movable with respect to the chassis,

wherein at least one aperture is formed through the chassis such that air may flow at least one of into and out of the chassis, the air flowing across the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said container mount, and

wherein relative movement of the holder with respect to the chassis covers and uncovers the at least one aperture, thereby adjusting an amount of air that flows through the at least one aperture.

6. The flameless candle according to claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a chassis and a holder movable with respect to the chassis, and wherein relative movement of the holder with respect to the chassis actuates a switch to turn said at least one LED on and off.

7. The flameless candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least one LED comprises a first LED and a second LED arranged above the first LED, the first LED emitting light perceived by an observer to be a substantially constant intensity and the second LED emitting light perceived by the observer to be flickering.

8. The flameless candle according to claim 2, wherein said at least one LED is supported by said support structure so as to be positioned above said power source and said cartridge mount.

9. The flameless candle according to claim 1, further comprising a fan disposed on said support structure, wherein the fan increases air flow across the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said container mount.

10. The flameless candle according to claim 1, further comprising a heater mounted on said support structure, wherein said heater heats air that moves across the replaceable container, to aid in dispersion of the volatile agent from the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said container mount.

11. The flameless candle according to claim 1, further comprising a detector disposed on said support structure, wherein said detector detects the presence of the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said container mount, and wherein said control circuitry controls said at least one LED to emit light only when said detector detects the presence of the replaceable container.

16. The flameless candle according to claim 4, wherein the charge pump comprises one or more capacitors for storing voltage to ensure that the supply voltage to said at least one LED exceeds the forward voltage of said at least one LED, during the one portion of the cycle.

12. A flameless candle comprising:

at least one LED that emits a flickering light that emulates a flame of a candle;

a receptacle that receives one or more batteries that provide power to said at least one LED;

control circuitry including at least one of (i) a current source controller that controls a current supplied to said at least one LED and (ii) a charge pump that ensures a supply voltage to said at least one LED that exceeds a forward voltage of said at least one LED, when the voltage provided by the one or more batteries falls below the forward voltage; and

a support structure that supports said at least one LED, said receptacle, and said control circuitry, said support structure including a diffuser that diffuses the flickering light emitted by said at least one LED.

13. The flameless candle according to claim 12, wherein the current source controller includes at least one of a constant current source that supplies a constant current to said at least one LED and a constant average current source that supplies a constant average current to said at least one LED.

14. The flameless candle according to claim 13, wherein the constant average current source alternates application of a current to said at least one LED and the charge pump over the course of a cycle, wherein in one portion of the cycle, current is supplied to said at least one LED, and in another portion of the cycle, a current is supplied only to the charge pump, when the charge pump is operational.

15. The flameless candle according to claim 14, wherein said at least one LED consists of a first LED and a second LED, and wherein, concerning the first LED, the second LED and the charge pump, the constant average current source supplies (i) a current only to the first LED for a first portion of the cycle, (ii) a current only to the second LED for a second portion of the cycle, and (iii) a current only to the charge pump, when the charge pump is operational, for a third portion of the cycle.

17. The flameless candle according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined forward voltage is between approximately 1.8 and approximately 2.5 volts.

18. The flameless candle according to claim 12, further comprising an atomizer supported by said support structure, wherein said atomizer emits a volatile active using power received from the one or more batteries within said battery receptacle.

19. The flameless candle according to claim 12, further comprising a passive release emanation system supported by said support structure, wherein said passive release system releases a volatile active over time.

20. The flameless candle according to claim 12, wherein said control circuitry comprises automatic shut-off means to shut off said at least one LED after a predetermined time period.

21. The flameless candle according to claim 12, wherein said support structure comprises a chassis and a holder removably attachable to the chassis.

22. The flameless candle according to claim 21, wherein the holder is removably attachable for replacement of the holder with another holder.

23. A flameless candle for releasing a volatile active, said candle comprising:

at least one LED that emits a flickering light that emulates a flame of a candle;

a support structure comprising a light diffusing portion, said at least one LED being supported by said support structure such that the flickering light emitting from said at least one LED is diffused by the light diffusing portion; and

a mount, supported by said support structure, for mounting a replaceable container containing a volatile active,

wherein said support structure includes a first aperture for allowing air to enter said support structure and flow across the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said mount, and a second aperture for allowing the air flowing across the replaceable container when the replaceable container is mounted on said mount to exit said support structure.

24. The flameless candle according to claim 23, wherein the first aperture is arranged proximate to a bottom of said housing and the second aperture is arranged proximate to a top of said support structure, thereby allowing convective air flow within said housing, between the first aperture and the second aperture.

25. The flameless candle according to claim 23, wherein said support structure comprises a replaceable holder including the light diffusing portion.

26. The flameless candle according to claim 23, further comprising an adjustable vent that adjusts to adjust the air flow between the first aperture and the second aperture.