Combination compact flourescent light with active ingredient emission

• US 7,618,151 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Abbondanzio, Matthew, Conway, Simon M.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US12/057,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20080232091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/253, 362/643, 362/650, 362/651, 362/652
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2083 using a light bulb as heat source
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/006 of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/0615 the material diffusing light, e.g. translucent glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/54 supported by a separate part, e.g. base
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/327 "Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/70 Lamps with low-pressure unconstricted discharge having a cold pressure < 400 Torr
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/46 supported by a separate part, e.g. base, cap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/9453 for screw type coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 : Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2828 : using control circuits for the switching elements H05B41/2827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 : Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 : Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A substitute for a conventional incandescent light bulb includes a CFL with a specially equipped base structure disposed between the male connector and the coiled fluorescent tube. The modified base includes an active vapor dispenser and, preferably, a heater for increasing and/or controlling the rate of active vapor emission. The male connector may be a threaded male Edison-type connector or any other type of male connector for use with female light sockets. The disclosed devices provide an energy-efficient source of white light and controlled active or fragrance emission. The base may also be equipped with one or more electrical connection ports for connection the base to one or more accessories such as volatile active dispensers or colored light emitting devices.

Claims

1. A combination light source and volatile active dispenser device, comprising:

a base connected to a volatile active dispenser, the base supporting a light source, the base being disposed between the light source and a male connector for engaging a light socket,

the volatile active dispenser extending radially outwardly from one side of the base, the volatile active dispenser comprising an decorative outer grill and a slot disposed between the grill and said one side of the base, the slot and decorative outer grill being disposed tangentially to the base, the slot for mateably receiving a replaceable cartridge containing an active material, the replaceable cartridge comprising a porous front panel, the slot and replaceable cartridge being configured to require the porous front panel of the cartridge to face the decorative outer grill when the replaceable cartridge is received in the slot to vent the active material through the porous front panel and radially outward through the decorative outer grill.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the base houses control circuitry for operating the light source.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the base houses circuitry for a heater used to heat the replaceable cartridge.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a low voltage white light source.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises one or mote white light emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a sidewall that comprises at least one socket for mounting an accessory to the base, the accessory being selected from the group consisting of a fan, and a colored light device that comprises a plurality of colored LEDs.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the active ingredient in the replaceable cartridge is selected from the group consisting of a flagrance, an air sanitizer, an air deodorizer, an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a medicine, an aromatherapy oil, and combinations thereof.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the male connector comprises first and second semi-cylindrical halves, the first semi-cylindrical half being fixed in position with respect to the base, the second semi-cylindrical half being movable from an outwardly biased position towards the first semi-cylindrical halt,

whereby movement of the second semi-cylindrical half towards the first semi-cylindrical half reduces an effective outer diameter of the male connector thereby enabling the male connector to be stabbed into a female receptacle.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the male connector further comprises a spring-biased pin extending axially between the first and second semi-cylindrical halves for enhancing electrical connection between a male connector and a female receptacle.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the base further comprises an actuator for moving the second semi-cylindrical half from the outwardly biased position towards the first semi-cylindrical half.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the male connector is rotatable with respect to the base and light source.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising an actuator disposed between the base and the male connector for imparting movement to the male connector.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the actuator is a thumbwheel.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a cylindrical structure disposed between the male connector and the light source,

the volatile active dispenser comprising a sleeve with a cylindrical through-opening for receiving the cylindrical structure of the base, the sleeve further comprising slot for receiving the container replaceable cartridge, the sleeve being rotatable with respect to the cylindrical structure of the base, the male connector and the light source.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the cylindrical structure of the base comprises at least one electrical contact and the cylindrical through-opening of the dispenser comprises at least one electrical contact for engagement with the least one electrical contact of the base, the at least one electrical contact of the dispenser being connected to a heating element for delivering heat to the replaceable cartridge.

16. A combination compact fluorescent light (CFL) and volatile active dispenser device, comprising:

a base connected to a volatile active dispenser, the base supporting the CFL, the base being disposed between the CFL and a male connector for engaging a light socket,

the volatile active dispenser extending radially outwardly from one side of the base, the volatile active dispenser comprising a shaped slot for receiving a replaceable cartridge containing an active material, the volatile active dispenser further comprising a decorative outer grill through which active vapor can pass, the shaped slot and decorative outer grill being disposed tangentially to the base, the shaped slot being disclosed between the base and the decorative outer grill,

the replaceable cartridge comprising a porous font panel for releasing the active material, the replaceable cartridge having a shaped cross section that requires the porous front panel to face radially outward away from the base and towards the decorative outer grill when the replaceable cartridge is received in the slot,

the base comprising a heater disposed opposite the slot from the decorative outer grill.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the male connector is rotatable independent of the volatile active dispenser.