Active material and light emitting device

• US 20060115386A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Helf, Thomas A., Michaels, Kenneth W., Westphal, Nathan R., Crull, Jeffrey L., Dubin, Matthew B., Falendysz, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,824,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/123
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/205 using vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic or piezoelectric atomizers
• 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: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer

Abstract

An active material and light emitting device comprises an ultrasonic atomizer assembly and a light emission device. The active material and light emitting device further includes a housing containing the atomizer assembly and the light emission device such that the atomizer assembly is disposed above the light emission device. The light emission device emits light that is transmitted through a medial portion of the housing.

Claims

1. A light and active material emitting device, comprising:

an ultrasonic atomizer assembly;

a light emission device; and

a housing containing the atomizer assembly and the light emission device such that the atomizer assembly is disposed above the light emission device;

wherein the light emission device emits light that is transmitted through a medial portion of the housing.

2. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic atomizer assembly is periodically operated to release a active material.

3. The light and active material emitting device of claim 2, further including a switch for adjusting the time intervals between the periodic release of active material.

4. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, further including a translucent cover portion disposed over the housing, wherein the cover portion diffuses light emitted from the light emission device.

5. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, in combination with a translucent, textured container enclosing the light and active material emitting device.

6. The light and active material emitting device of claim 5, wherein the orifice plate of the atomizer assembly is disposed less than or equal to 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) from a rim of the container to allow the transient air in the surroundings to carry the active material throughout the surroundings.

7. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, further including a light control device proximate the light emission device.

8. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, further including at least one battery that powers the atomizer assembly and the light emission device.

9. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, in combination with a bottle of active material that is emitted by the atomizer assembly, wherein the bottle of active material is disposed a distance from the light emission device such that the light emission device does not volatilize the active material in the bottle.

10. A light and active material emitting device, comprising:

a housing;

an ultrasonic atomizer assembly disposed within the housing;

a light emission device disposed within the housing, wherein the light emission device is disposed below the ultrasonic atomizer assembly;

a light control device disposed adjacent the light emission device such that light emitted from the light emission device is reflected by the light control device; and

a diffuser disposed over at least a portion of the housing to diffuse the light reflected by the light control device.

11. The light and active material emitting device of claim 10, further including a second diffuser spaced from the first diffuser.

12. The light and active material emitting device of claim 11, wherein the second diffuser is in the form of a translucent container in which the light and active material emitting device is disposed.

13. The light and active material emitting device of claim 10, wherein the diffuser is in the form of a cover portion disposed over the housing.

14. The light and active material emitting device of claim 13, wherein the cover portion includes first and second opposing apertures therein and the housing includes first and second spring clips having first and second protrusions extending therefrom, respectively, wherein the cover portion may be inserted over the housing when the spring clips are flexed inwardly and the cover portion is secured onto the housing when the spring clips are released, whereby the first and second protrusions of the first and second spring clips move outwardly into the first and second apertures, respectively.

15. A light and active material emitting device, comprising:

a housing including a spring finger disposed on a top surface thereof;

a light emission device disposed within the housing;

an ultrasonic atomizer assembly disposed within the housing above the light emission device; and

a cover portion disposed over the housing, wherein the cover portion includes an annular ring extending from an inner surface thereof.

16. The light and active material emitting device of claim 15, wherein when the cover portion is depressed, the annular ring of the cover portion contacts the spring finger, thereby depressing the spring finger such that it contacts a depressable button disposed therebelow to activate a switch.

17. The light and active material emitting device of claim 15, wherein a container having active material and a wick disposed therein is disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer assembly.

18. The light and active material emitting device of claim 17, wherein the ultrasonic atomizer assembly is periodically operated to release the active material.

19. The light and active material emitting device of claim 15, in combination with a translucent, textured container enclosing the light and active material emitting device.

20. The light and active material emitting device of claim 19, wherein the orifice plate of the atomizer assembly is disposed less than or equal to 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) from a rim of the container to allow the transient air in the surroundings to carry the active material throughout the surroundings.