WO1999058898A1

WO1999058898A1 - Shaped chemiluminescent lights

Info

Publication number: WO1999058898A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/006370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanley Holland; Earl Cranor
Original assignee: Omniglow Corporation
Priority date: 1998-05-13
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 1999-11-18
Also published as: AU3112799A

Abstract

A chemiluminescent illuminated device employing a light-filtering thermoformed container having a convoluted or polygonal inner or outer shape to form an augmented illumination surface. The shaped housing may have three, four, five, six, or more sides with either a form following or round shaped chemical holding section. The lighting effects generated by the chemiluminescent chemical are enhanced by the shape and the inherent optical properties of vessel may be further enhanced by indicia placed thereon.

Description

SHAPED CHEMILUMINESCENT LIGHTS Field of the Invention This invention is directed to the field of chemiluminescent lighting devices and, in particular, to shaped vessels for chemiluminescent lights to enhance illumination.

Background of the Invention Chemiluminescent devices are non- incandescent products which produce light from a chemical mixture. The basic chemiluminescent process produces light when two chemical solutions are combined. The solutions may be combined and frozen to prevent activation or can be kept physically separated prior to activation. Physical separation typically consists of a sealed frangible glass vial containing a first solution that is placed within a second solution, both of which are housed in a sealed flexible vessel. When the vessel is flexed, the glass vial is ruptured thereby releasing the vial solution which admixes wherein the reaction produces light. The chemical solutions are generally referred to as the "oxalate" component and the "activator" component. A typical oxalate component consists of Dibutyl Phthalate, CPPO and CBPEA. A typical activator solution contains Dimethyl Phthalate, T-butyl alcohol, 90% aq. Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Salicylate. As previously mentioned, the components may be frozen to retard the progress of the reaction. Alternatively, the components may be separated by a vial, pellet, separating wall, and so forth. Despite the type of separation, the object of these devices is to produce usable light. For this reason, the outer vessel is made of a light-filtering plastic material which permits the light produced by the reaction to pass through the vessel walls. Numerous patents exist that disclose improvements in the oxalate and activators, such patents extending or enhancing the illumination properties of chemiluminescent lighting devices. The unique lighting effects generated from chemiluminescent lighting devices are enhanced by the inherent optical properties of the containing vessel . The color, clarity and degree of effervescence, if any, serve to add to dissipation of light throughout the vessel wall. Some dyes or coloring agents can be used not only as color filters but as fluorescers. A fluorescent dye functions by converting light of one wavelength to another wavelength. For example, blue light from a chemiluminescent device might be converted to red light by employing an appropriate fluorescer. This red light could be produced even if there was little or no red light emitted by the chemiluminescent device. Most of these improvements strive for producing a brighter illumination of the device. If the vessel is actually made larger, the amount of chemical needed is increased thereby making the device uneconomical. U.S. Patent Number 5,043,851 issued to the Applicant discloses a polygonal outer shell having distinct corners that concentrate light. The light concentration creates a fiber optic display-like effect which enhances the visibility of radiated light by concentrating the chemiluminescent light at each corner. What is lacking in the art is a chemiluminescent device that enhances the illumination properties of chemiluminescent devices while reducing the weight, cost and rigidity of the device by altering the shape of the vessels. Summary of the Invention The instant invention is a shaped vessel for containing of the "oxalate" and "activator" component. The shaped vessel permits the distribution of light in a controlled manner so as to allow for augmented illumination of the shape of the device without increasing the amount of chemical required. The vessels can be constructed from translucent polyethylene or polypropylene having a shape that enhances the light illuminating properties. The illuminated devices employ chemiluminescent means as lighting sources and may have three, four, five, six, or more outer sides with either a form following or round shaped chemical holding section. The shaped vessel of the instant invention may also include internal geometry which similarly provides a lighting device that appears larger than a conventional tubular shaped vessel without an increase in chemical usage. The vessel modifications, both internal or external, allow for the reduction in the amount of plastic yet allow for the increase in the apparent size of the vessel, as ascertainable by the human eye. The reduction in plastic reduces the manufacturing costs and reduces the rigidity of such vessels. The reduction in plastic allows for an increase in flexibility thereby permitting new and unique vessel shapes and sizes. The lighting effect generated by the chemiluminescent chemical is enhanced by the shape of the vessel which may have indicia placed thereon to further enhance the inherent optical properties of the vessel. Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to disclose the use of shaped vessels for purposes of enhancing the distributing of chemiluminescent light without the need for additional chemical reagents. It is a further objective of this invention to disclose a variety of geometric shapes for distributing said chemiluminescent light. It is a still another objective of this invention to teach the modification of the external geometry of chemiluminescent light vessels to provide a lighting device that appears significantly larger than a conventional chemiluminescent tubular shaped type vessel such as a necklace, without an increase in chemical usage. Yet still another objective of this invention to teach the modification of the internal geometry of chemiluminescent light vessel to provide a lighting device that appears significantly larger than a conventional chemiluminescent tubular shaped type vessels such as a necklace, without an increase in chemical usage. Another objective of this invention is to disclose how various modifications to chemiluminescent light vessels produce a new, unique, surprising and unexpected effect that creates visually enlarged chemiluminescent light devices ascertainable by the human eye. Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein set forth, by way of illustration and example, are certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a pictorial view of the instant invention formed into a necklace and a bracelet; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the instant invention formed into the shape of a necklace or bracelet; Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are perspective views of a triangular, square, convolute and six-pointed star embodiment of the instant invention having a round shaped chemical holding section; Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are perspective views of a triangular, square, convolute and six-pointed star embodiment of the instant invention having a form following shaped chemical holding section; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the instant invention which shows the insertion of a chemiluminescent reagent; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cylindrical embodiment of the instant invention having extensions along an outer surface of the vessel; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical embodiment of the instant invention having a 4 -point inner cavity.

Detailed Disclosure of the Preferred Embodiments Although the invention is described in various specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto. With reference to Figure 1, a user 10 is shown wearing a chemiluminescent necklace 12 and bracelets 14 and 14'. Figure 2 shows the instant invention 20 being formed into a circular shape and held in place by coupler 22. Figure 3a is a perspective view showing a length of the container 30 and further describing a triangular cross- section 32 and round shaped chemical holding section 34. Figure 3b is a perspective view showing a length of the container 36 and further describing a square cross-section 38 and round shaped chemical holding section 40. Figure 3c is a perspective view showing a length of the container 42 and further describing a convolute cross- section 44 and round shaped chemical holding section 46. Figure 3d is a perspective view showing a length of the container 48 and further describing a six-pointed star cross-section 50 and round shaped chemical holding section 52. Figure 4a is a perspective view showing a length of the container 54 and further describing a triangular cross- section 56 and form following shaped chemical holding section 58. Figure 4b is a perspective view showing a length of the container 60 and further describing a square cross-section 62 and form following shaped chemical holding section 64. Figure 4c is a perspective view showing a length of the container 66 and further describing a convolute cross- section 68 and form following shaped chemical holding section 70. Figure 4d is a perspective view showing a length of the container 72 and further describing a six-pointed star cross-section 74 and form following shaped chemical holding section 76. The improved chemiluminescent device of the instant invention, as depicted in any of Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c or 4d is a flexible, light-filtering thermoformed container having an inner cavity which forms a chemical holding section which is sized to support chemiluminescent reagents and an outer shape that forms an augmented illumination surface which enhances the distribution of light from a given amount of the chemiluminescent reagents. Referring to Figure 5, a first reagent 78 is placed into the chemical holding section 80, which may be round or form following in shape. A second reagent 82, which is contained in a frangible ampoule 84, is also inserted into the chemical holding section, and the container 86 is sealed. Manipulation of the flexible container so as to cause rupture of the frangible ampoule allows the two reagents to admix, whereby the reaction of said chemiluminescent reagents produces a chemically produced light. The chemical holding section has approximately the same volume as prior art chemiluminescent necklace devices that merely had a round shape for both their inner and outer surfaces. However, the use of any of the instantly described outer shapes creates a larger outer dimension than the conventional products. When light is transmitted throughout this larger outer shape, the entire periphery of the container is illuminated. This provides enhanced illumination, and a device that appears significantly larger while utilizing the same amount of said reagents. For instance, the light device depicted in Figure 4C is approximately 9mm from a pointed tip to an opposite pointed tip. A conventional light device that is circular in shape and sold under the trademark LITE ROPE, is 5mm in diameter. Visually the geometric shape looks significantly larger than the conventional cylindrical shape. Upon activation, the light from the geometric shaped device looks physically more than two times larger than the cylindrical shape. Referring to Figure 6, the vessel 90 may employ a cylindrical shape and employ either a cylindrical or convoluted inner cavity with a proliferation of ridges, prongs or extensions 94 that extend outwardly from the outer surface of the vessel. This unique enlargement is possible without increasing the amount of chemical used as the vessel provides directional aspects to radiated light so that the outer most edge of the vessel, despite the edge shape, provides to the human eye the perception that the vessel size is equally and uniformly enlarged. Similarly, as depicted in Figure 7, the 8 outer shape of the vessel 96 can remain cylindrical with an internal shape 98 that allows for a reduction in plastic yet create to the human eye the perception that the vessel size is enlarged without increasing the amount of chemical . The internal cavity may be varied, as embodied by the above mentioned external shapes, and provide similar visual results. The reduction in the amount of plastic allows enlarged light devices to be formed in diameters greater than .400 inches which is impractical with conventional light devices due to plastic rigidity. The inner cavity may also include a proliferation of ridges, prongs or extensions that extend inwardly from the vessel wall which provide directional transfer of radiated light. The chemical reagents may be admixed prior to insertion in the chemical holding section and upon sealing, the entire device is frozen so as to retard the reaction until the desired time of use. When purchased by the user, the frozen device provides a cooling bracelet or necklace which will produce an increasingly brighter degree of illumination as it thaws. The thermoformed container may also include indicia stamped or placed thereon. As illustrated in Figure 7, indicia 100 can be used to alter light diffusion to further enhance vessel illumination. For instance, the surface of the material may include a prismatic shape stamped or molded into the material which further operates to optimize available light and provides diffusion through the indicia. If the light is colored, the indicia provides shadows for highlighting of the indicia. In addition, depending on the container material and the type of chemiluminescent chemical employed, the indicia provides an alteration of the spectral light which can further allow the indicia to illuminate in a color distinctive of the remainder of the lighting device. Similarly, the placement of opaque indicia on an available flat portion of a formed container, allows the 9 chemiluminescent light to provide a background for highlighting of the indicia. It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described certain forms of the invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

10 IN THE CLAIMS What is claimed is:

Claim 1. An improved chemiluminescent device comprising: a light-filtering thermoformed container having an inner cavity sized to support chemiluminescent reagents and an outer shape forming an augmented illumination surface; whereby the activation of said chemiluminescent reagents produces chemiluminescent light which, when transmitted throughout said outer shape, provides enhanced illumination from a given amount of said reagents visually ascertainable by the human eye.

Claim 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said inner shape is round.

Claim 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said inner shape mimics said outer shape.

Claim 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is triangular.

Claim 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is square.

Claim 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is pentagonal.

Claim 7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is hexagonal.

Claim 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is a polygonal cross section and contains 3 or more sides.

11 Claim 9. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape resembles a five or six pointed star.

Claim 10. The device according to claim 1 wherein said outer shape is convoluted.

Claim 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein said inner cavity is convoluted.

Claim 12. An improved chemiluminescent device comprising: a light-filtering thermoformed container having an inner cavity sized to support a chemiluminescent oxalate reagent and an activator reagent, said container having an outer shape forming an augmented illumination surface; whereby the activation of said chemiluminescent reagents produces chemiluminescent light which, when transmitted throughout said outer shape, provides enhanced illumination from a given amount of said reagents visually ascertainable by the human eye.

Claim 13. The device according to claim 12 wherein one of said reagents is in a sealed frangible ampoule.

Claim 14. The device according to claim 12 wherein said inner shape is round.

Claim 15. The device according to claim 12 wherein said inner shape mimics said outer shape.

Claim 16. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is triangular.

Claim 17. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is square.

12 Claim 18. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is pentagonal.

Claim 19. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is hexagonal.

Claim 20. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is a polygonal cross section and contains 3 or more sides.

Claim 21. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape resembles a five or six pointed star.

Claim 22. The device according to claim 12 wherein said outer shape is convoluted.

Claim 23. The device according to claim 12 wherein said inner cavity is convoluted.

Claim 24. An improved chemiluminescent device comprising: a light- filtering thermoformed cylindrical shaped container having an inner cavity sized to support chemiluminescent reagents, said inner cavity forming an augmented illumination surface; whereby the activation of said chemiluminescent reagents produces chemiluminescent light which, when transmitted throughout said cavity, provides enhanced illumination from a given amount of said reagents visually ascertainable by the human eye.

Claim 25. The device according to claim 24 wherein said inner cavity is convoluted.

Claim 26. The device according to claim 24 wherein an outer surface of said container includes ridges, prongs or extensions.