GB2481374A - A protective cover for a compact fluorescent lamp - Google Patents
A protective cover for a compact fluorescent lamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2481374A GB2481374A GB1010309.1A GB201010309A GB2481374A GB 2481374 A GB2481374 A GB 2481374A GB 201010309 A GB201010309 A GB 201010309A GB 2481374 A GB2481374 A GB 2481374A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- lamp
- sleeve
- end cap
- body portion
- elements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004812 Fluorinated ethylene propylene Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000840 ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- QHSJIZLJUFMIFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene Chemical group C=C.FC(F)=C(F)F QHSJIZLJUFMIFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical class C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007666 vacuum forming Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 102220565735 Acid-sensing ion channel 4_F21S_mutation Human genes 0.000 claims 1
- 101100328895 Caenorhabditis elegans rol-8 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920009441 perflouroethylene propylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 206010056740 Genital discharge Diseases 0.000 description 2
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 2
- QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N mercury Chemical compound [Hg] QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052753 mercury Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 2
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052729 chemical element Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 ethylene propylene, and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
- H01J61/32—Special longitudinal shape, e.g. for advertising purposes
- H01J61/327—"Compact"-lamps, i.e. lamps having a folded discharge path
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
- H01J61/35—Vessels; Containers provided with coatings on the walls thereof; Selection of materials for the coatings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
- H01J61/02—Details
- H01J61/50—Auxiliary parts or solid material within the envelope for reducing risk of explosion upon breakage of the envelope, e.g. for use in mines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
Landscapes
- Vessels And Coating Films For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
Abstract
A method of providing a protective cover on a compact fluorescent lamp having a body portion 1, electrical connector 2, and glass lamp elements 3. The method comprises fitting a transparent fluoroplastic end cap 4 over the end of the glass lamp elements 3, the end-cap 4 having an end face (4a, Figs 2 & 3), a circumferential wall (4b), and a flared peripheral portion (4c). A transparent fluoroplastic sleeve 5, having an initial diameter selected to form a close fit around the lamp elements 3, is expanded or stretched (mechanically or by heating) to a diameter greater than that of the body portion 1, and then passed over the lamp until it overlies both the body portion 1 and the end cap 4 (see Figure 4). Finally, a stream of hot air applied from a nozzle (6, Fig 5) is used to cause the tube 5 to revert to its original size, thereby shrinking into a sealing engagement with the body portion 1 and gripping engagement with the peripheral portion (4c) of the end cap 4.
Description
PROTECTING COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of protecting lamps, in particular for containing the glass fragments resulting from breakage of a compact fluores-cent lamp.
Background to the Invention
Compact fluorescent lamps -those in which a miniature fluorescent tube is bent or coiled in such a manner as to create a high output lamp in a very compact format -are rapidly replacing conventional incandescent lamps and other less efficient forms of discharge lamp such as sodium vapour lamps, be-cause of their substantially smaller consumption of energy for the same light output. However, the relatively complex glass structures which the folded or coiled tube forms can create a contamination problem if broken in certain envi-ronments, particularly manufacturing plants such as food processing. The breakage of such a lamp would release particles of phosphor-coated glass and other contaminating materials such as mercury, and it is therefore essential to provide for containment of these to permit safe removal of the broken lamp.
Lamps having a conventional glass envelope can be protected by the application of a suitably plastics coating, but this is not possible for the complex structures involved in compact fluorescent lamps and the like. Simple lamps of the type have two or three parallel tube sections have been protected by the heat-shrinking application of a fluoropolymer sleeve, which is then closed at its open end by a simple straight welded seam to produce a closed envelope.
However, this is impractical for larger compact lamps, because the size of the resulting seam means that the appearance is unacceptable, and the protruding seam may prevent installation of the lamp into its operational housing.
Summary of the Invention
The method of the invention provides a protective cover on a lamp of the type having a body portion with an electrical connector projecting from one side thereof and glass lamp elements projecting from the opposite side thereof, the cross-sectional area of the body portion being greater than the cross-sectional area occupied by the lamp elements together. The method comprises forming a sleeve of a transparent fluoroplastic film, such that the sleeve is a close fit over the lamp elements, heating the sleeve and stretching it so that the cross-sectional area thereof is greater than that of the body portion, and cooling the sleeve while stretched to fix the sleeve in the stretched state, forming an end cap from transparent fluoroplastic material, the cap having an end face corre-sponding with the cross-sectional area occupied by the lamp elements together, a circumferential wall upstanding therefrom so as to be a close fit over the lamp elements together, and a peripheral portion around the wall, the peripheral por-tion having a free edge of a greater circumference than that of the wall, so as to flare outwardly from the wall, fitting the end cap on the lamp elements, passing the sleeve over the lamp and the end cap, and heating the sleeve so as to shrink the sleeve into sealing engagement with the body portion of the lamp and gripping engagement with the peripheral portion of the end cap, so as to secure the end cap within the sleeve.
The film may be formed from any transparent fluoropolymer, copolymers of fluorinated ethylene propylene, and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene being espe-cially suitable. The initial thickness is suitably from 0.2 to 1.0mm.
The peripheral portion of the cap suitably extends outwardly at least 10mm from the wall, and is preferably of uniform width. The cap may be formed by vacuum forming.
The heating step is suitably carried out using hot air.
The invention also provides a lamp of the type having a body portion with an electrical connector projecting from one side thereof and glass lamp ele- ments projecting from the opposite side thereof, the lamp elements being pro- vided with an end cap formed of a fluoropolymer film, the end cap being re-tained on the elements by a fluoropolymer film sleeve shrunk on to the body, the elements and the end cap.
The lamps protected by the method of the invention are suitable for use in environments where containment of broken lamp material is required, for ex-ample food processing factories.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings, which illustrate a method according to one embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical high output compact fluores-cent lamp, before covering; Figure 2 is a corresponding view showing the fitting of the end cap; Figure 3 shows the end cap in place; Figure 4 shows the positioning of the sleeve; Figure 5 shows the heat shrinking step; and Figure 6 shows the completed lamp.
Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment
Referring to Figure 1, the high output compact fluorescent lamp com-prises a body portion 1 containing the control electronics and mounting on one side a conventional screw connector 2 by which electricity is supplied to the lamp. Projecting from the other side of the body portion 1 is a plurality of U-shaped fluorescent tubes 3, mounted to form a hollow ring. In practice, the tubes 3 are inter-connected in a continuous series, forming, in effect, one long fluorescent tube repeatedly bent through 180 degrees, the light output thus be-ing consolidated into a relatively small space, rather than being distributed along a linear space, as in conventional fluorescent lamps. Such compact fluo- rescent lamps are well-known, although typically as lower-powered lamps hav- ing fewer loops, for domestic use. The higher powered lamps, such as that il- lustrated in the drawings, are intended to replace mercury vapour or sodium va- pour discharge lamps for commercial and industrial premised, typically consum-ing as little as 20% of these earlier forms of lamp for the equivalent light output.
The relatively slender glass tubes of the lamp cannot be protected against the effects of breakage of the glass by the simple coating techniques used for conventional lamp envelopes.
Referring to Figure 2, the first step of the method of the invention is to form an end cap 4 having a flat end face 4a, a circumferential wall 4b upstand-ing therefrom, and a flared peripheral portion 4c extending outwardly from the upper edge of the wall. The end cap 4 is formed from fluoroplastic film by, for example, heating the film to soften it and then drawing the softened film down on to a vacuum mould, the resultant form being retained by cooling. As shown in Figure 2, this cap is fitted over the lamp elements 3, and is dimensioned so as to be a close fit without applying any inward tension to the elements 3. Fig-ure 3 shows the cap in place.
A fluoropolymer sleeve 5 is formed by extruding a continuous tube of the material, expanding the tube either as an inline procedure or as a secondary operation, and then cutting a length of the tube equal to that of the lamp (ex-cluding the screw connector 2). The initial diameter of the tube is such as to permit it to be a close fit around the lamp elements 3. The sleeve is expanded by heat, or mechanically, to a diameter in excess of that of the lamp body por-tion 1. This diameter is set pending application of heat to shrink the tube. The resultant sleeve is then passed over the end cap and the lamp, as shown in Figure 4, until it overlies both the lamp body portion 1 and the end cap 4. A stream of hot air is then applied from a nozzle 6, as illustrated in Figure 5, caus-ing the stretched sleeve 5 to revert to its original shape and dimensions. The sleeve 5 thus shrinks to grip firmly on to the body portion 1 of the lamp and to engage with the flared peripheral portion of the end cap, pulling it inward to pro-vide an anchor ensuring that the end cap is held securely in the sleeve and on the lamp elements 3. The completed lamp is illustrated in Figure 6.
In a trial, a lamp of the type illustrated in the Figures was dropped from a height of 4m on to a hard surface, causing the tubes to shatter. The implosion of the tubes caused the pressure to drop rapidly within the sleeve, but the integ-rity of the sleeve and its connection to the cap was preserved, containing the broken glass and other materials within the sleeve, allowing disposal without escape of glass. It will be appreciated that while the sleeve cannot guarantee that glass particles would not escape as a result of repeated handling or ma-nipulation of the sleeve, it is sufficient to enable safe disposal of the lamp and its components in the event of a breakage, and thus provides fragment con-tainment within a limited area.
The fluoropolymer used in the sleeve and cap is suitably selected from polymers of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and fluorinated ethylene pro-pylene (FEP), although other fluoropolymers may be used. These polymers have excellent light transmission (in excess of 95%) and stability, and so do not have a significant effect on light output, even after extended operation of the lamp.
Claims (12)
- CLAIMS1. A method of providing a protective cover on a lamp of the type having a body portion with an electrical connector projecting from one side thereof and glass lamp elements projecting from the opposite side thereof, the cross-sectional area of the body portion being greater than the cross-sectional area occupied by the lamp elements together, the method comprising forming a sleeve of a transparent fluoroplastic film, such that the sleeve is a close fit over the lamp elements, stretching the sleeve so that the cross-sectional area thereof is greater than that of the body portion, forming an end cap from trans-parent fluoroplastic material, the cap having an end face corresponding with the cross-sectional area occupied by the lamp elements together, a circumferential wall upstanding therefrom so as to be a close fit over the lamp elements to-gether, and a peripheral portion around the wall, the peripheral portion having a free edge of a greater circumference than that of the wall, so as to flare out-wardly from the wall, fitting the end cap on the lamp elements, passing the sleeve over the lamp and the end cap, and heating the sleeve so as to shrink the sleeve into sealing engagement with the body portion of the lamp and grip-ping engagement with the peripheral portion of the end cap, so as to secure the end cap within the sleeve.
- 2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the film has an initial thickness of 0.2 to 1.0mm.
- 3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the film is formed from copolymers of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or fluorinated ethylene propyl-ene.
- 4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the peripheral por-tion of the wall around the end cap extends outwardly at least 10mm from the wall.
- 5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the periph-eral portion is of a uniform width.
- 6. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising forming the end cap by vacuum forming.
- 7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating step is conducted by means of hot air.
- 8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is stretched while heated and is cooled to set the stretched state until the sleeve is re-heated.
- 9. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the sleeve is stretched mechanically.
- 10. A method of providing a protective cover on a lamp, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
- 11. A lamp of the type having a body portion with an electrical connec-tor projecting from one side thereof and glass lamp elements projecting from the opposite side thereof, the lamp elements being provided with an end cap formed of a fluoropolymer film, the end cap being retained on the elements by a fluoropolymer film sleeve shrunk on to the body, the elements and the end cap.
- 12. A lamp, substantially as shown in, and/or as described with refer-ence to, Figure 6 of the drawings.*::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1010309.1 Examiner: Geoff Holmes Claims searched: All Date of search: 22 October 2010 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 11 US4934768A [BLAISDELL] see Fig 4 & col 4, line 15 to col 6, line 36 A -JP2005122906A [HITACHI LIGHTING] see abstract & figures A -JP2009199885A [UCHIYAMA] see abstract & figures Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP. WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC F21S; F21V; HO1J The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report WPI; EPODOC International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From HO1J 0061/35 01/01/2006 HO1J 0061/50 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010309.1A GB2481374A (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2010-06-21 | A protective cover for a compact fluorescent lamp |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010309.1A GB2481374A (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2010-06-21 | A protective cover for a compact fluorescent lamp |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201010309D0 GB201010309D0 (en) | 2010-08-04 |
| GB2481374A true GB2481374A (en) | 2011-12-28 |
Family
ID=42582670
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1010309.1A Withdrawn GB2481374A (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2010-06-21 | A protective cover for a compact fluorescent lamp |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2481374A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2498834A (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2013-07-31 | Holscot Fluoroplastics Ltd | Fluorescent tube |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4934768A (en) * | 1988-06-27 | 1990-06-19 | Gte Products Corporation | Picture element lamp assembly for information display system |
| JP2005122906A (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2005-05-12 | Hitachi Lighting Ltd | Fluorescent lamp |
| JP2009199885A (en) * | 2008-02-21 | 2009-09-03 | Seiki Uchiyama | Electric bulb and method of protecting the same |
-
2010
- 2010-06-21 GB GB1010309.1A patent/GB2481374A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4934768A (en) * | 1988-06-27 | 1990-06-19 | Gte Products Corporation | Picture element lamp assembly for information display system |
| JP2005122906A (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2005-05-12 | Hitachi Lighting Ltd | Fluorescent lamp |
| JP2009199885A (en) * | 2008-02-21 | 2009-09-03 | Seiki Uchiyama | Electric bulb and method of protecting the same |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2498834A (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2013-07-31 | Holscot Fluoroplastics Ltd | Fluorescent tube |
| GB2498834B (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2014-03-19 | Holscot Fluoroplastics Ltd | Fluorescent lamps |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201010309D0 (en) | 2010-08-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |