Active material and light emitting device

• US 7,824,627 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Dubin, Matthew B., Helf, Thomas A., Michaels, Kenneth W., Westphal, Nathan R., Crull, Jeffrey L., Falendysz, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): CONLEY, SEAN EVERETT
• Application Number:
  US11/265,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20060115386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 422/123, 422/20, 422/127, 422/128, 261/1, 261/99, 261/104, 239/102.2
• US Class Current: 422/128
• 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:

a housing;

a column extending upwardly from the housing and including an arm portion extending perpendicularly from the column;

an ultrasonic atomizer assembly disposed within the arm portion;

a container having a liquid active material disposed in the container and a wick in contact with the active material, wherein the wick extends out of the container into fluidic contact with the ultrasonic atomizer assembly and wherein the container is attached to and suspended from the arm portion;

a light emission device disposed within the housing; and

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

2. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, further including a second diffuser spaced from the first-named diffuser.

3. The light and active material emitting device of claim 2, wherein the second diffuser is in the form of a translucent container in which the light and active material emitting device is disposed.

4. The light and active material emitting device of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is in the form of a cover portion disposed over the housing.

5. The light and active material emitting device of claim 4, 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.