JP2003535436A - Lighting device with phosphorescent label - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract A decorative lighting product includes a candle or a candle holder containing the candle. The decorative web of heat shrinkable polymer web is heat shrunk to conform to the shape of the candle or candle holder. The web is decorated with phosphorescent inks or colored pigments to cooperate with the light emitted by the candle and to provide a luminous effect when the candle is extinguished.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 550,2 filed on Apr. 14, 2000.
No. 85 is a continuation-in-part application.

The present invention relates generally to decorative lighting products, and more particularly to glow-in-the
-Dark) or phosphorescent decorative film applied to the candle itself or to a candle holder in which the candle is placed.

[0003]

[Prior art]

Lighting products such as candles and candle products come in many shapes, sizes and designs. As used herein, the terms "luminaire" and "lighting product" refer to combustible active materials or aroma-releasing candles, or to burn hydrocarbon-based fuels that include a wick, such as candles, or Used with oil lamps or illumination devices such as lanterns. For example, the present invention may also be applied to an irradiation device in which the irradiation source is a wick that is ignited, consumes kerosene, and is housed in a conventional petroleum lamp having a glass frost.
Some candles stand alone, while others are held vertically as candlesticks or in lanterns or jars. Also,
Some are designed to be placed inside a candle holder, in the case of so-called gel candles and some types of wax candles, usually called jar candles, the candle is the volume of the holder in which it is installed. May be almost satisfied. Further, when referring to a luminaire or candle or candle holder, it is meant to include other forms of lighting devices such as oil lanterns for candles, lamps, and gloves. I want you to understand.

In many of these cases, it is desirable that the lighting product be decorated to enhance its aesthetic appearance both when unlit and when lit. However, it is difficult and costly to decorate the outer surface of a luminaire or its holder. Also, many known techniques do not allow the manufacturing process to be flexible so that a particular decorative design cannot be easily modified. In this way, various designs can be economically applied, the design can be tailored to the demands of consumers, specific seasons, events, motifs, holidays, etc., and the light surrounding the lighting product, hitting the lighting product or passing through the lighting product. And, it is limited to provide products with decorative effects that change depending on whether the lighting product is lit or not.

[0005] Therefore, in the art, there is an economical decoration method for providing a decorative lighting product, which can be changed in design from various decorative designs by providing higher flexibility to a manufacturing process. is necessary.

The coating of candles with protective materials has long been known. For example, US Pat. No. 2,137,707 to Wade et al. Relates to a process for packaging tapered candles in a seamless casing formed from a non-fibrous cellulosic material. The casing may be transparent, translucent, and / or colored. In one embodiment, the non-fibrous cellulosic material is formed into a tube and is moistened and softened for application to a candle. The diameter of this moist tubing is approximately equal to the average diameter of the tapered candle and is pushed over the candle or a mandrel of the same dimensions as the candle so that it stretches as much as is needed to cover the thicker end of the candle. Then, by drying the covered candle, the tubular material forms a protective casing that conforms to the shape of the candle and holds the candle wax in the solid or molten state. .

It has also been known to package candles with heat shrinkable film for shipping and display. In US Pat. No. 3,126,682, Krance teaches a method for packaging candles. By forming a web of heat-shrinkable film material around the candle so that its longitudinal edges overlap.
A tubular heat-shrinkable film material is loosely formed around the candle. By grasping the tubular material slightly beyond each end of the candle, the packaged candle is conveyed through a heat source that causes the material to heat shrink around the candle. The material selected has the property that it will not shrink further when it comes into contact with the candle surface, and that it will become entangled when overlapping due to its high electrostatic chargeability.
It has one important property. In this way, the material is held electrostatically rather than heat sealed after shrinking and tightly adhering to the candle circumference.

It has also been known to apply heat-shrinkable packaging material on various objects for decorative purposes. For example, US Pat. No. 3,829, Spiegel et al.
No. 348 relates to decorating solid objects such as ornaments, glassware, or light bulbs. The object is decorated by heat shrinking a decorative tubular or strip heat shrinkable plastic around it. This tubular or strip plastic is decorated by using precut patterns, silk screening, or striping before applying it to the object to be decorated. This plastic is polyvinyl chloride (PVC
) Or polyethylene, and by uniaxially stretching the shrinkage in the height direction of the tube is only 2% to 10%, whereas the shrinkage in the diametrical direction is 30%.
~ 50%. As a result, the entire inner surface of the strip-shaped or tubular plastic comes into close contact with the outer surface of the object to be decorated.

Similarly, Barrett, Jr. (Barrett, Jr.) US Reissue Patent No. 20,
No. 434 teaches how to make altar candles. In this patent, the candle body is tightly covered with a cylindrical transparent film of amorphous cellulose, which adheres to the candle even if it is not yet dry. It is taught that the film may be clear or colored and may be combined with a tinted glass tube forming the outside of the assembly including the bottom assembly and cap.

US Patent Co-pending Application No. 09 / 550,2 filed April 14, 2000
No. 85, Kotary et al. Disclose a technique for applying a decorative shrink wrapping film to a candle in order to provide an economical and flexible way to bring various decorative effects to candle products. ing. This co-pending application specifically describes a method of applying shrink wrapping film to a candle product, and the product obtained by such a method, but makes little mention of the visual effect obtained thereby.

The present invention relates to a lighting product that is essentially luminescent in that it emits or emits light by means other than heat itself. “Luminescence,” as used herein
The term "(luminescence)" refers to the emission of light from the body by means other than heat. That is, luminescence is generally understood to be obtained from phosphorescence or fluorescence. The term “phosphorescence” as used herein refers to incident radiation.
It is to be understood that it is understood to mean the emission of light following exposure to incident radiation and the removal of incident radiation, or the emission of light without combustion. Conversely, "fluorescence" is understood to mean the effect that a substance emits radiation while absorbing another form of energy, while stopping emitting radiation as soon as its input energy stops. . An example of fluorescence is that coatings in fluorescent lamps absorb ultraviolet light and emit light in the visible spectrum. Thus, in summary, the present invention relates to a luminescent coating applied to a shrink wrap material applied to a candle or candle holder, the coating being "reactive" or "filled" by the burning of an illumination product or an external light source. And emits light.

As mentioned above, it is known that fluorescent materials and phosphorescent materials are used for various purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172 by Sachetti.
No. 937, number of such as covers, labels, toys, and figurines containing fluorescent and phosphorescent materials that emit and reflect light to provide uniqueness, safety, comfort, and entertainment. The structure is disclosed. When a label containing such a material is exposed to light, such as sunlight or incandescent lighting, the phosphorescent material of the label reacts and emits light in the dark.

Similarly, US Pat. No. 5,654,552 by Toombs teaches a lamp shade with printed luminous areas. Tomb uses a luminescent ink to form a pattern on a fabric layer that is glued to the transparent plastic layer of the lamp shade, so that the lamp can be illuminated both when it is illuminated and when it is not illuminated.
Proposes to bring a visible pattern.

In addition to the above references, Sylvestre is described in US Pat.
No. 600 teaches an emergency kit that includes a candle with a lighting band that allows the candle to be installed and used under low light conditions. The candles in this kit provide a convenient means to help you place the candle in the event of a power failure, but it is a decorative candle with a lighting band, or it reacts to the light of the candle and emits light after the candle goes out. The mark is not configured.

[0015] In US Pat. No. 3,741,711, Bryant describes an infinite, insulative recess with a glass cup in which a glass cup containing a combustible candle, such as a votive candle, is located. Teaches a reusable decorative composite candle. The glass cup and the candles in it may be replaced indefinitely. The body of the candle is made of transparent wax, and a transparent, colorless insulating material surrounds the transparent glass cup to prevent the body wax from melting due to the burning of a small candle. The outside of the candle body may be decorated with a design or decorative structure that glows when the candle burns. However, this document does not suggest using fluorescent or phosphorescent materials, only utilizing the light of the burning inner candle to cause the outer candle to emit light.

In addition to the above documents, there are several documents that teach the application of decorative and / or identifying materials such as labels to the outer surface of various things. For example, US Pat.
In Brighton et al., No. 9,496, bottles are prepared by attaching both ends of a heat-shrinkable material segment to the surface with an adhesive and then heat-shrinking the main part of the segment to bring it into close contact with the surface. Teaches how to label convex surfaces such as, eggs, Christmas tree ornaments and the like. In this method, a conventional heat-shrinkable material having a high directional shrinkage is used. A heat-shrinkable polyester film having particularly suitable shrinkage properties is taught by Mori et al. In US Pat. No. 5,932,685. The shrink wrapping film of this document is
Not only are there few dents in the longitudinal direction during contraction, but also wrinkles after contraction,
It is described as being preferable because there is not much shrinkage or distortion.

Thus, there are several teachings for films suitable for shrink-wrapping objects for decorative purposes, all of which are designed to react to light from a candle or similar flame, Shrink-wrapping a luminescent label with a print, or indicia, for this design, print, or indicia to be "filled" by the light during the burning of the candle or flame, and after the candle or flame is extinguished. It does not teach in terms of emitting light or glowing in the dark.

Such inks are well known and have been applied to various surfaces for many years for decorative and safety lighting purposes. However, none of these have been proposed as suitable for shrink-wrapping a substrate illuminated by a candle for subsequent luminescence. Furthermore, it is desirable that the shrink wrap label be highly transparent so that background lighting is transparent, for example when applied to the outer surface of a candle holder. This allows the light from the burning candle to shine through the film, while the printed area of the film absorbs the light from the candle, which in turn emits light when the candle goes out for a great visual effect. Bring None of the documents mentioned above bring about such an effect.

Thus, decorating a lighting product, such as a candle or candle holder, with a heat-shrinkable film having the property of emitting light after the candle has gone out,
That has never been suggested. Therefore, this product is visually enjoyable not only during combustion but also when displayed without being ignited. The luminescent material used in the present invention not only "fills" with the light of the candle when the candle is ignited, but also when the candle is not ignited, but is also in a sufficiently bright environment, Note that it may be "filled" with light. Thus, the decorative candle of the present invention will glow in the dark when the light is extinguished after being placed unlit on a table in a sufficiently bright room.
Furthermore, it has not been proposed to decorate candles or holders that are exposed to high temperatures in normal use by applying a heat-shrinkable film having properties such as phosphorescence or luminescence. No known technique has been proposed for such applications, let alone with the belief that heat-shrinkable polymers can be used to decorate such flammable products to produce the desired results. Is not suggested.

[0020]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The present invention encloses a luminaire, a candle, or a holder with a decorative heat-shrinkable polymer packaging material having certain properties, which heat shrinks around the luminaire, the candle, or the candle holder. The above problem is addressed by providing a lighting product and a decoration method thereof, which are decorated by

The new luminaires resulting from the practice of the present invention are inexpensive, visually pleasing, easy to find in a dark room, and have a wide variety of designs, for example adapted to the theme of the season or holiday. It has a visual effect that can be held.

[0022]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of decorating a candle product, comprising providing a web of heat-shrinkable polymer having particular decorative properties, and coating the lighting product with the web. After the coating step, the web is heated and contracted to conform to the shape of the lighting product. If the lighting product consists of a candle holder, the candle may be placed in the candle holder to enhance and benefit the polymeric packaging material used. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a decorative candle product that includes a candle and a candle holder that houses the candle. A decorative web of heat-shrinkable polymer web, printed with a luminescent pattern, is heat shrunk to follow the shape of a candle or candle holder. This web is
By working with the light emitted by the candle, it has a decorative property, i.e. a pattern printed with luminescent, phosphorescent, or fluorescent ink, which can give a visual effect when the candle goes out. . Although the following description mainly describes the case of applying the web to the candle holder, the present invention can also be applied to the case of applying the web to the candle itself. By way of example, a web with decorative properties may be used to wrap the pillar candles, in which case the diameter of the pillar candles, in particular, the diameter of the pillar candles, as the flame burns out the central portion of the candle. It is sized to maintain a sufficient thickness to prevent the outer surface from softening or melting. Another example of a candle provided with a packaging material in accordance with the present invention is a candle holder suitable for containing and burning a small candle, such as a votive candle or tea light. There is a pillar candle placed in the center of the "hole". In such an example, the flame at the candle wick illuminates the outside surface of the candle from within the holder, exciting the luminescent ink in the decorative packaging material. This causes it to emit light when the burning candle disappears.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. In the following description and drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of decorative lighting products may be formed in accordance with the present invention. In each embodiment, the lighting product is decorated by wrapping its outer surface with a decorative heat-shrinkable polymer wrapping material and heat shrinking the wrapping material around its outer surface to provide a snug fit. Although the decorative packaging material of the present invention can be attached to a candle product by other means, the preferred means is to heat shrink the heat shrinkable film until it remains attached to the product surface. . However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the decorative film used in this decorative lighting device may be applied by other means, especially when attached to the candle itself, e.g. staples, pins, tapes. There is a means of attaching using a holding device such as.

As mentioned above, the basic idea of the invention is to provide a decorative luminescent surface on the lighting product. The lighting product may include a candle, a lamp, or a candle or lamp holder or container. For example, the present invention includes a candle having a decorative film on its outer surface, a candle holder having a decorative film on its inner or outer surface, or a wick or globe having a decorative film on its inner or outer surface. As an example of the present invention, Applicants have used a candlestick, jar candle, or botive candle with a decorative film on its surface or in a container such as a glass jar decorated as taught below. Decorative candles in the form are also included within the scope of the present invention and surround, enclose, enclose various shaped candles, oil burning lamps or various wicks for burning carbon based fuels. Designed to be fixed, or retained,
Gloves or husks, usually made of glass, in various forms with a decorative film on the surface according to the teachings of this disclosure are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. It is preferred to use a transparent glove, haze, or candle container (eg, jar), although opaque or translucent materials can be utilized. But,
In this case, the visual effect is less pronounced.

The present invention is particularly applicable to candles, candle holders, petroleum lamps, and the like for spraying active materials. Such active materials are well known in the prior art and include fragrances, air fresheners, deodorants, deodorants, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellents, drugs, disinfectants, bactericides, mood agents. It may be selected from the group consisting of mood enhancers, aromatherapy compositions, and mixtures thereof. The selection of a particular active material for use in the luminaire of the invention, if any, is within the skill of a practitioner of the art to which the invention is applied. However, suitable active materials that may be included in the candle wax, or the petroleum burning lamp petroleum, include fragrances, insect repellents, insecticides, and deodorants. Such active materials may be added in liquid or gel form to the fuel elements of candles or lamps so that they are dispersed into the atmosphere when the fuel burns. Of particular importance to the present invention is a luminaire, including a candle, containing a mood-enhancing or aromatherapy additive and surrounded by a luminescent pattern of gloves, husks, or containers. It is the point of manufacturing.

Thus, the present invention provides a decorative noctilucent ink at a location such that when the lighting product is ignited, the luminescent ink is illuminated by the flame and, when the flame is extinguished, emits light to an observer. Broadly includes lighting products, in which sex labels or films are combined. The luminescent ink may absorb radiant energy from ambient light when the flame is not ignited. This luminescent property allows the heat-shrinkable film comprising the ink to adhere to the exterior surface of the lighting product such that it is illuminated by the flame of the lighting product or by ambient light when the luminaire flame is not ignited. Granted by. Luminescent labels emit light after the burning element is extinguished and when the ambient light level is below the light emission level of the ink being used. The radiant energy required to excite or fill the phosphorescent material utilized in the present invention includes ambient light, including light from external light sources, such as household electric lights or sunlight, as well as candles. It is to be understood that the light emitted by the wick, or the wick of an oil lamp, or other such radiant energy burning flame is also included. The label used is
Heat shrinking techniques provide highly decorative lighting products by being applied to substrates such as candles, candle jars, gloves, votive jars, and haze. Suitable methods of applying such films to lighting products are described in co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 550,285 filed April 14, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is described in.

The luminescent ink may be any ink suitable for imprinting on shrink wrap labels of the type used in the aforementioned US copending application Ser. No. 09 / 550,285. Good. A typical example of such an ink is the HY-Series Luminous Maes available from Pete's Luminous Creations of Singapore.
Luminous Glow Powder sold under the trade name terial)
Some are prepared from. Such photographic recording materials are based on non-radioactive crystals with a particle size of 200-500 mesh, which are available for green, blue, yellow and violet. A 200 mesh size is suitable for most applications, but in the case of silkscreen or offset printing a finer 4
A particle size of 00-500 mesh is recommended. The crystals of this composition are decomposed by water and must therefore be applied as a non-aqueous dispersion, for example a solvent-based ink. The luminescent ink (Luminous Ink) may be produced by mixing the luminescent powder (Glow Powder) with a suitable transparent ink. The mixing ratio of the luminescent powder and the ink is about 1: 1, but in general, the higher the ratio of the luminescent material is, and the more the ink coating is applied, the stronger the luminescent property becomes. This luminescent ink is preferably applied to a transparent or white film, as dark backgrounds tend to absorb light and reduce luminosity. In addition, this luminous powder (Glow-in-the-dark Powder) is epoxy (Epoxy) and hardener (Hardener)
And this powder may be used to form an epoxy coating. Other luminescent materials are also commercially available, such as the phosphorescent pigments sold by Thermal Lettering of Loveland, Co.

1A and 1B show two embodiments of a decorative lighting product 1 formed according to the present invention. In each embodiment, the lighting product 1 is decorated by wrapping its outer surface 1 with a decorative heat-shrinkable polymer packaging material 10 and heat shrinking the packaging material 10 around the candle product 1. As shown in FIG. 1A, this packaging material 10 includes a candle holder 2 in which a candle 25 is held.
It is possible to heat-shrink to zero. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B,
The packaging material 10 can also be heat-shrinked directly with respect to the candle 25.

The packaging material 10 is a polymeric material having properties that provide the desired luminescent properties of the present invention. That is, the packaging material is composed of a film onto which the luminescent ink is deposited in a random fashion or in a desired pattern, the ink being "filled" or radiatively excited by the incidence of light and the incident light When is extinguished, it emits or emits light. As described above, this luminescent ink may be a single color or a combination of a plurality of colors and may have a pattern such as a drawing, an image, a print mark, or as a completely random "splash" coloring. Good.

For example, the packaging material 10 may be provided with a design 12, which not only enhances the appearance of the candle 25 or the holder 20 but also cooperates with the light emitted by the candle 25. It must work (e.g., illuminated by the light of a candle flame) to enhance the visual effects that occur when the candle 25 is burning. For example, the base of the packaging material 10 may be colored and translucent. This enhances all surface properties of the candle holder 25 (eg, chamfer, groove, etc.), similar to tinted glass. Alternatively, the packaging material 10 may be selectively transparent, translucent, and / or opaque so as to provide the desired light pattern when the candle 25 is lit. Design 12
Printed (including those that use phosphorescent, Day-Glo 7, luminescent, luminescent, or other inks) or finishes (gloss, matte, or other special finishes) Can be applied by any of a number of suitable processes, such as As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a luminescent label having a colored design or inscription imprinted on a background which is a transparent film is backlit by its flame during burning of a candle. It is applied to a transparent glass candle holder so as to absorb the radiant energy from the flame. When the flame is extinguished, this printed luminescent design or indicia becomes visible in the dark by emitting radiation or light into a dark environment, while the label's phosphorescent ink Other parts that are not printed disappear. A complex multicolor design may be obtained by printing this label with multiple colored phosphorescent inks with different inks in a single pass printing process or multiple applications, which multicolor design of candles. It absorbs light from the candle during combustion, and from any ambient light, and emits radiant energy in the form of a polychromatic luminescent pattern for a period of time after the candle disappears. The pattern of this design is very noticeable and pleasing to the eye when the candle goes out when the candle is in a dark environment. For example, the candle packaging material of the present invention may be printed with a floral design in a conventional manner, the leaf portion of which is a phosphorescent ink that emits radiation of a green wavelength while the buds and The petals may be printed with ink that emits red wavelength light. When the candle and any ambient light are extinguished, this flower image becomes visible in the dark.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, in which the packaging material 10 has been applied to the holder 20, the candle 25 placed in the holder 20 is formed of wax, gel, or other suitable candle-forming material. can do. Furthermore, this candle 2
0 may be any device that has a wick and burns a hydrocarbon-based fuel as long as it is a flammable aroma releasing or irradiating device. The luminescent image becomes visible when the candle is extinguished, as well as it can be released into the atmosphere.

Initially, there was concern as to whether heat-shrinkable polymers could be used to decorate such flammable products. However, this preferred packaging material, namely poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), withstands expected conditions (eg, long exposure to temperatures up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit) and burns up at this time. Can reach about 600-800 degrees Fahrenheit) and work in a tolerable range when exposed to special circumstances such as packaging material misalignment. This material is preferred, but the packaging material is
Any of a number of suitable heat-shrinkable polymer films, including PVC, polyethylene, polystyrene, other polyesters, etc., as long as the film is not adversely affected by the temperatures encountered during normal candle use. Good. Furthermore, when the packaging material 10 is applied directly to the candle 25, the packaging film is heated at a sufficiently low temperature or with a short exposure time so that the candle 25 itself does not react or dissolve too much in its shrinking process. It is preferably capable of shrinking. For convenience, application or packaging of the film is described herein as application to a candle or candle holder or simply a holder,
The terms "candle holder" and "holder" are suitable for enclosing a globe, jar, hose, lamp shell, and flame of a candle or lamp, through which the light of the flame is usually observable. It is to be understood that it is intended to include all forms such as enclosures.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the decoration process of the holder packaging form and the candle direct packaging form respectively provides a web of packaging film (step SA).
(1) and step SB (1)). The wrapping film may be solid, that is, pre-formed closed loop or band 14 (see FIG. 3) over the candle 25 or holder 20 or wrapped around the candle 25 or holder 20. It is preferably supplied in the form of panel 16 (see FIG. 4), but this is not necessary. In each of these cases, as shown in FIG. 5, the step of supplying the web (step SA (1) or step SB (
1)) may include the steps of supplying a continuous sleeve or sheet (step S2 (a)) and cutting the sleeve or sheet into individual pieces (step S2 (b)). Alternatively, the web may be cut into solids at a later stage in the process, such as after coating the candle product 1 (discussed below).

In each case, the edges 18 of the film are superposed in a known manner either before (in the case of band 14) or after (in the case of panel 16) applied to the candle holder 20 or the candle 25. Are spliced together. For example, this end 18
May be joined by solvent sealing, heat sealing, adhesive sealing, ultrasonic welding or the like. In the case of band 14, the ends are joined in a sleeve shape, which, in a preferred embodiment, is a tetrahydrofuran which is applied in a known manner to the transversely opposite ends of a "continuous" web of film. It is carried out by joining with a (THF) solvent. Also, the design 12 is preferably applied to the film before it is cut into solids. In the case of a band 14 (as shown in FIG. 3), this design 12 is applied to a continuous web by printing or similar suitable applying means with a phosphorescent ink prior to forming the sleeve. Preferably. The design can also be provided with both non-phosphorescent and luminescent design elements to present different designs with and without candle light or ambient light.

The film of packaging material 10 may be stretched to shrink predominantly in one direction, which increases the predictability of the shrink wrap process. This can be done by known methods. For example, prior to the formation of solids, the film can be heated and stretched in one direction while still in the form of what is commonly referred to as a "continuous" web. This is usually done in the cross machine direction (direction across the length of the continuous web). When this film is reheated in a later heat shrink process,
Shrinks mainly in the stretched direction. Although not required for the present invention, the film is preferably stretched so that it shrinks much more circumferentially around the candle product 1 than axially. This allows the film to be easily stretched to correspond to the candle 25 or the holder 20. The unshrinked film may be loosely placed around the candle 25 or holder 20 to substantially match its top or bottom end to its final destination position. When the film shrinks (mainly in the circumferential direction), it sticks tightly around the candle 25 or the holder 20 without improper axial movement of its top and bottom ends.

A preferred PET film is about 25 to about 60 microns thick and exhibits the following shrinkage properties when stretched in the transverse direction and immersed in hot water for 15 minutes. Water shrinkage (%) Temperature (° C) Machine direction Cross machine direction 80 <4 50-60 100 <3> 70

Individual bands 14 or panels 16 applied to each candle 25 or holder 20
Can be generated by cutting the continuous sleeve or sheet at the timing measured by the output of the optical sensor (step S2 (b)). This optical sensor is used to detect a predetermined alignment marker on the sleeve or web to ensure that the sleeve or web is cut at the proper spacing given to the design 12 on the film. can do. (If necessary,
The detection "window" of this photosensor can be limited to a certain time period in a known manner. If the decorative design 12 is a repeating pattern, the photosensor can be tailored to a particular phase of the pattern. If the design is not a repeating pattern, or if the design is a repeating pattern longer than the cutting interval, a reference alignment marker can be applied. For example, individual bands 14 or panels 1
Each design 12 at the same 6 locations can be bounded by a bounding box. This allows one web to have more than one design 12 and allows for bands 14 or panels 16 having different designs. This makes it possible to produce candle products 1 decorated with different designs, in particular with a plurality of luminescent inks, much easier and more economically than ever before.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in steps SA (2) and SB (2), the holder 20 or the candle 25 is covered with the heat-shrinkable packaging material (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In the preferred embodiment, this is the target candle 2 on the perimeter.
5 or slightly larger than the holder 20 with a band 14 or wrapping panel 16. For example, for a non-cylindrical (ie, one portion thicker than the other) candle holder 20, the perimeter of the band 14 or wrapping panel 16 must be slightly larger than the thickest portion of the candle holder 20. I won't. However, this is not necessary, as the band 14 or panel 16 can be stretched onto a larger candle holder 20 if desired.

The height of the band 14 or panel 16 can be very close to the desired height of the finished design on the candle 25 or holder 20. As mentioned above, the stretched film can be used in a known manner to provide a band 14 that shrinks predominantly circumferentially and only to a very limited extent axially.

The height is about 68.6 mm, the diameter of the mouth is about 70.6 mm, and the diameter of the thickest part is about 80.8 mm (outer circumference is about 253.8 mm).
), And a typical band 14 for application to a curved holder 20 having sidewalls bulging in and a base diameter tapering to approximately 40.5 mm. The long sleeve forming the band 14 has an outer circumference of about 260.75 mm.
(Corresponding to a diameter of about 83.0 mm). This sleeve has a height of approximately 71.
It is cut laterally to give a 0 mm band 14. Thus, the outer circumference of each band 14 is larger than the holder 20 by about 7.0 mm. Also, each band 14
Is about 2.4 mm higher than the holder 20. However, due to the rounded side wall of the holder 20, the actual distance from the top to the bottom of this side wall exceeds the height of the band 14 by a few millimeters.

The band 14 thus formed is then put on the candle holder 20 (see FIG. 3). At this stage in the process of packaging the candle holder 20 (shown in FIG. 2A), the absence of the candle 25 is preferred, although this is not necessary for the invention. Without the candle 25, the holder 20 can be turned upside down on the transport surface (eg, conveyor belt or tray) when applying the band. This offers several advantages. In this direction, the band 14 can be placed on the transport surface when the heat shrinkage is started. This can prevent the packaging material 10 from covering the mouth of the holder 20. In addition, the provision of the reference surface can prevent the packaging material 10 from being distorted with respect to the holder 20. The second advantage is that at this stage 25 candles
Without it, it is possible to avoid the candle 25 being exposed to the high temperatures of the heat shrink process, causing some softening or melting. (However, candle 2
Even if there is 5, this dissolution can be minimized, as if the packaging material 10 were applied directly to the candle 25. )

The candle 25 may be positioned in the holder 20 earlier in the process (step SA (4) in FIG. 2A), and the candle 25 may be placed in the holder 20 before it is applied to the holder 20. Note that you may have For example,
In the case of gel or wax infusion candles, the candle may be infused into the holder 20 at any point in the process, as indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2A. In fact, when the candle is poured into the holder, this candle itself (
It may be a temperature that contributes to or can carry out the heating step (described below).

When the packaging material 10 is directly applied to the candle 25 (FIG. 2B), the candle 2
5 is preferably in the vertical direction. Thereby, the packaging material 10 can be more easily manufactured.
Can be oriented such that it does not interfere with the core. It also minimizes the effect on the core of any amount of dissolution that occurs during heat shrinkage.

Once the band 14 or panel 16 is positioned around the candle 25 or holder 20, the composite can be fed into a heating station by any known mechanism (eg, conveyor belt), where , Band 14 or panel 16 is heat shrunk onto candle 25 or holder 20 (
Step SA (3) and step SB (3)). The heating station can provide hot dry air, hot moist air or steam, or hot air and steam in combination several times in succession. As is well known in the art, in order to best avoid wrinkles and bubbles in the finished packaging material 10, it is preferred to apply the hot air and steam in a continuous combination. However, it should be noted that upon application to the substrate, the packaging material may create wrinkles and bubbles to provide an interesting and unusual visual effect. For example, such irregularities add visual depth and variation to the product,
With a luminescent label, a three-dimensional effect is possible. When a PET film having the above thickness and shrinkage properties forms a band 14 having the above dimensions and printed with a luminescent design, the band 14 is treated with four consecutive hot dry air stations. (Depending on the application, at a temperature of about 100 to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably about 300 to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 to about 2 seconds, respectively), and then treated at a steam station ( At a pressure of about 5 psi to about 15 psi, about 3 seconds to about 5 seconds).

The number, sequence, exposure time and strength of the heating stations can be modified in a known manner according to the specific dimensions and properties of the packaging film and candle or holder.

After the heat shrink is complete, the wrapped candle 25 or holder 20 may be dried, if desired, by a conventional blast dryer or other known mechanism. At this point, the candle 25 is ready for packing, and the holder 20 is ready for packing if the candle 25 is positioned inside (step SA (4)).

Although the process described above is preferred, other processes may be used. For example, another method that utilizes preformed film loops is described in the Spiegel et al. Patent referenced above, where the loops are loosely overlaid on the object prior to heat shrinking. The disclosure of this patent document is incorporated herein by reference. Another method of using a sheet to wrap around an object is described in US Pat. No. 5,879,496 (by Bright et al.), The disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Incorporated in the book.

It has been found that the present invention provides a further advantage in that, when applied, this shrink wrap protects the candle holder, which is typically made of glass. Specifically, this shrink wrap either maintains the integrity of the glass during manufacture or use, or protects the glass from scratches and scratches, for example. Such scratches significantly reduce the integrity of the glass. Once scratched, the glass loses its compressive strength and becomes more fragile. This shrink wrap reduces the occurrence of such scratches and scratches and maintains the integrity of the glass.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the invention may include various modifications and equivalent constructions, some of which have been mentioned above, provided they come within the scope and spirit of the following claims. Intended. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to allow their broadest reasonable interpretation to include all such modifications and equivalent constructions and acts.

[0051]

【The invention's effect】

This creative candle decoration method and the product obtained by this method are
Utilizing a heat-shrinkable film provides a design that cooperates with the light emitted by the candle to provide a pleasing visual effect. By providing a luminous effect, such as a candle or holder emitting light in a dark environment, the aesthetics of the ornament can be greatly enhanced. This method and product is much more flexible than the known methods and products and allows the design process to be easily and economically modified from a variety of decorative designs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A   1 is a perspective view of a decorative lighting product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B   FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative lighting product according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2A]   3 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting product decoration method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B   5 is a flowchart illustrating a lighting product decoration method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one step in a method for decorating a lighting product according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one step in a method for decorating a lighting product according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in more detail a preferred embodiment of one step in the method for decorating a lighting product according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] February 25, 2002 (2002.2.25)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F21Y 101: 00 F21P 1/02 A (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK) , ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), AU, CA, CN, CO, JP, KR, MX, NZ F terms (reference) 3K014 AA01 RB00 RB03 RB04 RB07 SA03 UA01 UA12 3K060 AA06 BA16 BA17 BC07 EA01

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A lighting product having a decorative outer coating, said outer coating comprising a decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer web which, when contracted, follows the contours of said product, said web comprising: , Lighting products containing materials that absorb radiant energy from ambient light and emit light when the ambient light is extinguished. 2. A lighting product according to claim 1, wherein the lighting product comprises a candle, and the decorative web is attached to the candle. 3. A lighting product according to claim 1, wherein the product comprises a candle and a candle holder, to which the decorative web is attached. 4. The lighting product of claim 3, wherein the candle holder is selected from the group consisting of a jar, a botive holder, a glove, and a hose. 5. The candle holder of claim 4, wherein the candle holder comprises a glass container for the candle, and the web comprises a heat-shrinkable polymer printed with a design including a phosphorescent ink. Lighting products. 6. The lighting product of claim 5, wherein the design comprises a plurality of phosphorescent inks responsive to the light of the candle. 7. The design of claim 6, further comprising a non-phosphorescent ink.
Lighting products described in. 8. The lighting product of claim 6, wherein the web comprises a transparent polymer web. 9. The lighting product of claim 5, wherein the phosphorescent ink is responsive to ambient light and emits light when the candle is extinguished. 10. A polymeric film comprising a decorative outer coating and further comprising an active material, the decorative outer coating comprising a material that absorbs radiant energy from ambient light and emits light when the ambient light is extinguished. Lighting products consisting of. 11. The active material for fragrance, air freshener, deodorant, deodorant, odor neutralizer, insecticide, insect repellent, drug, disinfectant, bactericide, mood booster, aromatherapy. 11. A lighting product according to claim 10, selected from the group consisting of compositions and mixtures thereof. 12. The lighting product of claim 11, wherein the active material is selected from the group consisting of fragrances, insect repellents, insecticides, and deodorants. 13. The lighting product of claim 12, wherein the product comprises a candle. 14. The product comprises a candle, a jar, a botive holder,
A candle holder selected from the group consisting of a glove and a hose, the decorative film being attached to the candle holder, the film being at least one type responsive to the light of the candle. 13. The lighting product of claim 12, wherein the design including the phosphorescent ink comprises a printed heat-shrinkable polymer. 15. A) providing a heat-shrinkable polymer web comprising a material that absorbs radiant energy from ambient light and emits light when the ambient light is extinguished; and b) in the web, a candle, candle jar. Coating a substrate selected from the group consisting of: a candle holder, a candle holder, a lantern, a glove, and a botive holder; and c) after the coating step, the web shrinks to conform to the shape of the substrate. Heating the web, and decorating the lighting product. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the film comprises a transparent polymeric web polymer printed with a design that includes at least one phosphorescent ink responsive to the light of a candle. 17. The film is applied to a glass candle jar that encloses a candle containing an active material selected from the group consisting of fragrances, insect repellents, insecticides, and deodorants. Item 16. The method according to Item 16. 18. The polymer is stretched poly (ethylene terephthalate) and the web is preformed into a sleeve with the polymer stretched in the circumferential direction, and the method comprises 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of forming a band by cutting the sleeve substantially in the direction of stretch of the polymer, the coating step comprising positioning the band around a candle jar. . 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the web is approximately 50 microns thick.