Adapter for light bulbs equipped with volatile active dispenser and light emitting diodes

• US 7,641,364 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2007
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• 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, Johnson, Mark E., Faterioun, Kamran, Conway, Simon M.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DZIERZYNSKI, EVAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/833,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20080001551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 362/295, 362/253, 362/643, 362/650
• US Class Current: 362/295
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/327 "Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/94 Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• 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 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An adapter device for a lamp or light fixture includes a male connector, a female socket and control circuitry. The adapter supports at least one RGB LED cluster positioned so as to emit a colored light show. The male connector is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The adapter also includes a slot for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active insert for enabling the device to emit an active ingredient from the insert when the insert is secured in the slot. A conventional light bulb or a CFL may also be connected to the female socket as a source of illumination. Thus, a single adapter is used to combine a conventional light source/colored light show source/volatile active source.

Claims

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

a base comprising a male connector for engaging a light socket and a female socket for receiving an illumination source,

the base further comprising an active dispenser comprising a slot for receiving a replaceable insert,

the base being connected to an annular diffuser through which the illumination source is received before it engages the female socket, and

the base supporting at least one light emitting diode (LED) positioned beneath the diffuser and a control circuitry for controlling the illumination source and the at least one LED, wherein the control circuitry comprises a memory with at least one colored light show stored in the memory, and a colored light show is selected from a plurality of colored light shows based on the replaceable insert received in the slot of the active dispenser.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED comprises at least one red, green and blue (RGB) LED cluster.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a heater circuit for heating the replaceable insert.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a dimmer circuit to adjust a brightness of the illumination source.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry controls an output rate from the active dispenser.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a refill cue that provides an indication when the replaceable insert has been depleted.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the replaceable insert comprises a memory with at least one colored light show stored in the memory.

8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises at least one low voltage light source.

9. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising at least one control switch.

10. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a remote control having a transmitter and a corresponding receiver within the control circuitry.

11. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the active in the replaceable insert is selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, an air sanitizer, an air deodorizer, an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a medicine, an aromatherapy oil, and combinations thereof.

12. A combination light source and controlled volatile active dispenser adapter, comprising:

a base comprising a male connector for engaging a light socket and a female socket for receiving an illumination source,

the base further comprising an active dispenser comprising a slot for receiving a replaceable insert,

the base being connected to an annular diffuser through which the illumination source is received before it engages the female socket,

the base supporting at least one RGB LED cluster positioned beneath the diffuser, and a control circuitry comprising a memory and a heater circuit;

wherein the control circuitry comprises a memory with a plurality of colored light shows stored in the memory, and the colored light show is selected from the plurality of colored light shows based on the replaceable insert that is received in the slot.

13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry comprises a dimmer circuit to adjust a brightness of the illumination source.

14. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry controls an output rate of the active dispenser.

15. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry comprises a refill cue that provides an indication when the replaceable insert has been depleted.

16. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the replaceable insert comprises a memory with at least one colored light show stored in the memory.

17. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the illumination source comprises at least one low voltage light source.

18. The adapter of claim 12 further comprising at least one control switch.

19. The adapter of claim 12 further comprising a remote control having a transmitter and a corresponding receiver within the control circuitry.

20. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the active in the replaceable insert is selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, an air sanitizer, an air deodorizer, an insecticide, an insect repellant, an insect attractant, a medicine, an aromatherapy oil, and combinations thereof.

21. A combination light source and controlled volatile active dispenser adapter comprising:

a male connector for engaging a light socket;

a female socket for receiving an illumination source;

a slot for receiving a replaceable insert;

an annular diffuser through which the illumination source is received before engaging the female socket;

at least one RGB LED cluster; and

a control circuitry comprising memory for storing a plurality of colored light shows and circuitry for controlling an intensity of the illumination source;

wherein the control circuitry comprises a memory with at least one colored light show stored in the memory;

wherein the colored light show is selected from a plurality of colored light shows based on the replaceable insert received in the slot of the active dispenser

and at least one switch performing one or more functions selected from the group consisting of

activating a colored light show and turning off the illumination source, turning on the illumination source and deactivating the colored light show, turning off both the illumination source and colored light show;

freezing the colored light show;

adjusting an intensity of the illumination source;

adjusting an intensity of one or more of the LEDs;

adjusting an output rate from the replaceable insert; and

scrolling through the plurality of colored light shows stored in the memory.