Diffuser with light emitting diode nightlight

• US 7,932,482 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Porchia, Jose, Norwood, Richard L., Dancs, Imre J., Wolf, Jeffrey J., Dietz, George J., Paas, Edward L., Walter, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paschall; Mark H
• Application Number:
  US10/544,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20060237439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,633 Days
• Field of Search: 219/497, 219/492, 219/501, 219/502, 219/505, 392/390, 362/96, 362/86, 362/101, 362/102, 261/142
• US Class Current: 219/506
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2061 using a heat source
• 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 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control

Abstract

An electrically operated diffuser has a fragrance-emitting element (8) for facilitating diffusion of an active material, and at least one light emitting diode (7). The at least one light emitting diode (7) serves as a nightlight and has a luminous intensity rating of at least about 5000 mcd at 20 mA. Also, the at least one light emitting diode (7) may be positioned at a back surface of the diffuser, such that when an active material is received in the compartment the at least one light emitting diode (7) shines through the active material. The diffuser may include a remote-use assembly to supply power to the diffuser from a wall socket remote from the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a light controller to change one or more of the color and the intensity of the at least one light emitting diode (7).

Claims

1. An electrically operated diffuser, comprising:

a housing having a compartment for receiving an active material;

a plug disposed on said housing for connection of the diffuser to a power source;

a heating element located in proximity to the compartment of said housing, to heat an active material received in the compartment; and

at least one light emitting diode disposed in said housing and serving as a light,

wherein said heating element and said at least one light emitting diode are electrically connected to said plug, and

wherein a combined power consumption of said heating element and said at least one light emitting diode is at most two watts.

2. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode is electrically connected to said plug via a full-wave bridge circuit.

3. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator switch for selectively activating said at least one light emitting diode to illuminate.

4. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent lens at least partially enclosing said at least one light emitting diode and providing an even light dispersion.

5. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said heating element is a resistance heater.

6. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet formed in said housing for reception of a plug of an additional electrical appliance.

7. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode has a luminous intensity rating of at least about 5000 mcd at 20 mA.

8. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein when activated, said at least one light emitting diode provides minimal heat to an active material received in the compartment of said housing.

9. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode serves as a nightlight.

10. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

11. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises light emitting diodes of at least two different colors.

12. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 11, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

13. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 12, further comprising a fragrance controller for adjusting the rate at which the active material is diffused.

14. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 13, wherein said fragrance controller and said light controller communicate so as to work in synchronization with each other.

15. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 13, further comprising a processor for controlling the operation of said light controller to produce a predetermined presentation.

16. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 15, further comprising a processor for controlling the operation of said fragrance controller to produce a predetermined presentation.

17. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined presentation comprises at least one of (i) varying the rate at which the active material is diffused over the course of the presentation, and (ii) varying at least one of the color and intensity of at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes over the course of the presentation.

18. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 13, further comprising a programmable processor that allows a user to program the operation of the fragrance controller and light controller to control at least one of (i) the rate at which the active material is diffused over the course of the presentation, and (ii) at least one of the color and intensity of at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes, to produce a desired presentation over a set period.

19. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 13, further comprising an acoustical generator for generating sounds.

20. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 19, further comprising (i) a memory for storing at least one audio file and (ii) a processor for causing said acoustical generator to generate sounds in accordance with the at least one audio file.

21. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 20, wherein said processor is programmable so as to allow a user to control said acoustical generator, said light controller, and said fragrance controller to produce a predetermined presentation over a set period of time.

22. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising a fragrance controller for adjusting the rate at which the active material is diffused.

23. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising an acoustical generator for generating sounds.

24. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, said at least one light emitting diode being positioned at a back surface of the compartment of said housing, such that when the active material is received in the compartment said at least one light emitting diode shines through the active material.

25. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 24, said at least one light emitting diode being recessed in said housing to accommodate the active material in the compartment.

26. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 24, said at least one light emitting diode comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes.

27. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises light emitting diodes of at least two different colors.

28. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 26, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes to vary at least one of the color and intensity of at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

29. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising a remote-use assembly, said remote-use assembly comprising a support member that supports the diffuser on a support surface remote from a wall socket and a cord that supplies power to said plug of the diffuser from the wall socket.

30. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 29, said support member comprising a docking station that releasably holds the diffuser during use, wherein said cord transmits electrical energy from the wall socket to said docking station to power the diffuser.

31. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 30, said docking station comprising (i) a cradle for receiving and supporting the diffuser during use and (ii) an electrical receptacle, electrically connected to said cord, for receiving said plug of the diffuser and supplying power to the diffuser from said cord.

32. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 31, said remote-use assembly further comprising a transformer/rectifier for converting alternating current from the wall socket to direct current, said cord transmitting the direct current to said receptacle to power the diffuser.

33. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 29, said at least one light emitting diode shining through at least one window in said housing to project an image in the shape of said at least one window onto a surface.

34. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 33, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

35. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, said at least one light emitting diode shining through at least one window in said housing to project an image in the shape of said at least one window onto a surface.

36. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 35, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

37. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor chosen from the group consisting of light sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, movement sensors, and fragrance sensors.

38. An electrically operated diffuser, comprising:

a housing having a compartment for receiving an active material;

a plug disposed on said housing for connection of the diffuser to a power source;

a heating element located in proximity to the compartment of said housing, to heat an active material received in the compartment; and

at least one light emitting diode disposed in said housing and serving as a nightlight, said at least one light emitting diode having a luminous intensity rating of at least about 5000 mcd at 20 mA,

wherein said heating element and said at least one light emitting diode are electrically connected to said plug, said at least one light emitting diode being electrically connected to said plug via a full-wave bridge circuit,

wherein when activated, said at least one light emitting diode provides minimal heat to said active material, and

wherein a combined power consumption of said heating element and said at least one light emitting diode is at most two watts.

39. An electrically operated diffuser system according to claim 38, further comprising an actuator switch for selectively activating said at least one light emitting diode to illuminate.

40. An electrically operated diffuser system according to claim 38, wherein said active material is contained in a replaceable cartridge.

41. An electrically operated diffuser system according to claim 40, wherein said active material is an air freshener material.

42. An electrically operated diffuser system according to claim 38, wherein said at least one light emitting diode serves as a nightlight.

43. An electrically operated diffuser system according to claim 38, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

44. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 43, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises light emitting diodes of at least two different colors.

45. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 44, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

46. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 45, further comprising a processor for controlling the operation of said light controller to produce a predetermined presentation.

47. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 38, further comprising at least one sensor chosen from the group consisting of light sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, movement sensors, and fragrance sensors.

48. An electrically operated diffuser, comprising:

a housing having a compartment for receiving an active material;

a heating element located in proximity to the compartment of said housing, to heat an active material received in the compartment; and

at least one light emitting diode disposed in said housing and being positioned at a back surface of the compartment of said housing, such that when the active material is received in the compartment said at least one light emitting diode shines through the active material, and

wherein a combined power consumption of said heating element and said at least one light emitting diode is at most two watts.

49. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 48, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

50. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 49, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes comprises light emitting diodes of at least two different colors.

51. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 50, further comprising a light controller for controlling the operation of said plurality of light emitting diodes.

52. An electrically operated diffuser according to claim 48, further comprising at least one sensor chosen from the group consisting of light sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, movement sensors, and fragrance sensors.