Multi-clarity lenses

• US 20060221594A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Dancs, Imre J., Trent, John S., Thuot Rann, Raechell Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward apparatuses, devices, methods, kits, programs, and combinations to disperse and/or project light. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention where a light effect of glowing, diffuse, and projected light is desired, one lens is provided that diffuses light in one section of the lens and is substantially clear in another section to allow substantially all the light to pass through the lens. In other embodiments to obtain the same effect, one or more lenses diffuse light while one or more other lenses are clear to allow substantially all the light to pass through the lens.

Claims

1. A diffuser, comprising:

a housing assembly having a compartment for receiving a container having a wick;

a heating device disposed within the housing assembly at a position proximate to an upper portion of the wick;

an electrical connection to transmit electricity to the diffuser;

a light source comprising a light-emitting diode; and

at least one lens to project light emitted from the light source from the diffuser.

2. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises at least two lenses.

3. The diffuser of claim 2, wherein at least one lenses is oriented toward at least one of a front, side, top, bottom, or back orientation of the diffuser.

4. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the lenses comprises a glass, a resin, or a plastic.

5. The diffuser of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens comprises a plastic comprising polypropylene.

6. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the lenses diffuses light and at least one lens projects light.

7. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein at least one lens diffuses light and projects light.

8. The diffuser of claim 7, wherein the at least one lens comprises a single integral optical element.

9. The diffuser of claim 8, wherein at least one of the sections of the lens is thicker than at least one other section of the lens.

10. The diffuser of claim 9, wherein the thicker section of the lens is more opaque to light than a thinner section of the lens.

11. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein a portion of the lens is at least one of clear, polished, frosted, colored, etched, painted, and textured.

12. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the lens comprises a section of the lens portion that is thicker than at least one other section of the lens.

13. The diffuser of claim 12, wherein the thicker portion of the lens is more opaque to visible light than a thinner portion of the lens.

14. The diffuser of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment mechanism for displacing the upper portion of the wick toward or away from the heating device.

15. A method of displaying light and dispensing a fragrance from a diffuser, the method comprises:

providing the diffuser, the diffuser including a housing assembly having a reclosable compartment for at least one of receiving, releasably engaging, and retaining a container configured to contain the fragrance and an optional wick extending therefrom;

a heating device disposed within the housing assembly at a position proximate to the container;

a light source comprising a light-emitting diode; and

at least one lens near the light source to display light;

inserting into the compartment the container having an amount of the fragrance;

providing a power source to the diffuser; and

activating the heater and the light source to display the light through the at least one lens and to dispense the fragrance from the diffuser.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the diffuser comprises at least two lenses.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one lens diffuses light and projects light.

18. A multi-clarity lens for displaying light from a device to disperse active material, the multi-clarity lens comprising:

a polypropylene lens comprising at least one section that is thicker and more opaque to light than at least one other section;

wherein the device comprises a housing assembly having a compartment for at least one of receiving, releasably engaging, and retaining a container configured to contain the active material and an optional wick extending therefrom;

a heating device disposed within the housing assembly at a position proximate to the container;

a light source comprising a light-emitting diode; and

at least one of the polypropylene lenses near the light source to display light.

19. The multi-clarity lens of claim 18, wherein the lens diffuses light and projects light.

20. The multi-clarity lens of claim 18, wherein a section of the polypropylene lens is at least one of clear, polished, frosted, colored, etched, painted, and textured.