0001
`
`Santa's Best and Polygroup
`Exhibit 1008
`IPR2016-01066
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,140
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 25, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,757,111
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`0002
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 26, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,757,111
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`0003
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`

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`tH.waP3U
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`0
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`11J,757“,5
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`57.:9
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`W%58Th...
`.aW.
`
`0004
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`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 25, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,757,111
`
`0005
`
`0005
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 26, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,757,111
`
`SCR
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`
`1
`NIGHT LIGHT WITH PHOSPHORE3CENT
`ELEMENT
`
`5.757.111
`
`2
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/498,267 filed Jul. 3. 1995. now abandoned.
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to an electric lamp capable
`of emitting visible light when in the dark without relying on
`an electric energy from a separate power supply and. hence.
`particularly advantageous when used as a portable lamp for
`outdoor use. a flashlight. a bicycle lamp or an all-night
`emergency light.
`2. Description of the Prior A11
`A5 is well known. a continuous use of a flashlight. for
`example. or a continuous discharge of batteries set in tlie
`flashlight reduces or shortens the life of the batteries. The
`flashlight should. therefore. be switched olf at intervals to
`recover the power of the batteries.
`However. when the flashlight is turned olf in the dark. we
`are momentarily deprived of sight and hence cannot visually
`recognize any sort of objects even the position of the
`flashlight. In view of this. the flashlight is sometimes con-
`tinuously kept in the on—state.
`though it leads to a short
`battery life. Furthermore. in many cases. outdoor activities
`involving in the use of a flashlight do not require a 100%
`illumination intensity of the flashlight. Accordingly. a con»
`tinuous lighting of the flashlight is a wasteful energy con-
`surnption.
`In the case of a bicycle lamp. an electric dynamo cr
`generator can produce a necessary level of electricity only
`when a wheel is rotating at speeds above a predetermined
`value. Since the running speed of the bicycle is not constant.
`night bicycle riding at low speeds would involve some risk
`of accident as the bicycle lamp can only produce a weak
`emission of light which cannot be visually distinguished
`from a relatively long distance.
`Conventional home-use emergency lights comprise a
`rechargeable dry cell and a power~interrupl.ion detection
`switching circuit both of which are normally connected to a
`commercial power source so that a lamp is turned on when
`the electricity is cut off. The emergency lights thus arranged
`are normally useless and obstructive. and rather expensive.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVEN'I'l0N
`
`With the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art in view. it
`is an object of the present invention to provide an electric
`lamp which is capable of absorbing and storing light emitted
`from an electric bulb and then emitting it to keep the desired
`illuminating intensity for several minutes to several hours
`when the light bulb is turned otf in the dark or can only
`produce a weak emission of light.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`electric lamp which is particularly useful when embodied in
`a portable lamp for outdoor use. a flashlight. a bicycle lamp
`or an all-night emergency light.
`An electric lamp of this invention for use with an electric
`power supply comprises an electric light bulb that produces
`light when excited by the electric power supply. and a
`phosphorescent element disposed near the light bulb. the
`phosphorescent element being capable of abscxbing and
`storing light from the light bulb and then emitting it in the
`form of visible light when in the dark.
`Preferably.
`the electric lamp further includes a light
`reflector disposed near the light bulb and having a light
`
`35
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`reflecling surface for reflecting light from the light bulb
`toward a desired direction. at least a portion of the light
`reflecting surface being composed of the phosphorescent
`element.
`
`The phosphorescent element may be composed of an
`annular surface portion of the light reflector extending
`circumferentially around the light bulb. a plurality of surface
`portions of the light reflcctor arranged radially about the
`light bulb at angular intervals. or a plurality of pieces
`projecting from the light reflecting surface and arranged
`about the light bulb at equal angular intervals. The light
`reflector and the phosphorescent pieces may be integral with
`each other. and the phosphorescent pieces are molded of a
`transparent synthetic resin containing a phosphorescent pig-
`ment.
`
`The phosphorescent element may be composed of a
`phosphmescent paint coated on the portion of the light
`reflectiug surface. the phosphorescent paint being a mixture
`of a phosphorescent pigment and a highly transparent bind-
`ing medium. As an alternative. the phosphorescent element
`is composed of a phosphorescent sheet attached to the
`portion -of the light reflecling surface. the phosphorescent
`sheet being molded of a transparent synthetic resin contain-
`ing a phosphorescent pigment. The phosphorescent element
`may be composed of a phosphorescent
`laminated sheet
`attached to the portion of the light reflecting surface. the
`phosphcneseent laminated sheet including a base layer of a
`synthetic resin and a phosphorescent layer of a transparent
`synthetic resin including a phosphorescent pigment.
`In a preferred embodiment. the electric lamp furtha
`includes a light reflector disposed near the light bulb and
`having a light reflecting surface for rellecting light from the
`light bulb toward a desired direction. The phosphorescent
`element is composed of a tubular cover disposed concentri-
`cally amund the light bulb and supporting thereon the light
`reflector. The lamp cover is molded of a transparent syn-
`thetic resin contaiuing a phosphorescent pigment.
`In another preferred embodiment. the electric lamp fill’-
`tber includes a transparent cover case oonla.i.n.i.ng therein the
`light bulb. The cover case has a face plate disposed on one
`side of the light bulb. and the phosphorescent element is
`disposed at least on the other side of the light bulb so that
`light emitted from the phosphorescent element when in the
`dark illuminates the tranmarent cover case through the face
`plate. The phosphorescent element may be also disposed on
`the outer surface of an annular side wall of the cover case.
`The transparent cover case further has a back plate disposed
`on the opposite side of the light bulb and having an inside
`surface confronting the face plate. the phosphorescent ele-
`ment extending over the inside surface. The face plate may
`be composed of a light scattering plate having an outer
`surface composed of a number of pyramidal prisms. The
`light bulb is preferably a transparent light bulb. The electric
`lamp. for used as an all-night emergency light. further
`includes an automatic flashing circuit electrically connected
`with the light bulb and adapted to be connected with the
`electric power supply. so as to automatically switching on
`and oil the light bulb according to ambient illumination
`intensity.
`The above and other objects. features and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent from the
`following description when making reference to the detailed
`description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in
`which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the
`principles of the present invention are shown by way of
`illustrative example.
`
`0007
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`0007
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`

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`5,757.11]
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`3
`BRIEF DESCRIIPTION or THE DRAWINGS
`
`I is a front elevational view of an electric lamp
`FIG.
`having a light reflector according to an embodiment of the
`present invention:
`FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1. but showing an electric
`lamp having a modified light reflcctor:
`FIG. 3 is a view sirttilar to FIG. 1. but showing an electric
`lamp having another modified light reflector;
`FIG. 4 is a cross—sectional view taken along line IV—IV
`of FIG. 3:
`
`FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross—sectional view of
`an essential portion of an electric lamp according to another
`embodiment of the present invention:
`FIG. 6 is a schematic view. partly in cross section and
`partly in side elevation. of an electric lamp constructed as an
`all-night emergency light according to still another embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6. but showing a modified
`form of the all—night emergency light according to another
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an automatic flashing
`circuit incorporated in the all-night emergency light shown
`in FIG. 7 or 8.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTICIN OF THE
`P EMIBODIJVIENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings. wherein like reference
`characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout
`the several views. there is shown in FIG. I an elecnie lamp
`according to an embodiment of tile present invention.
`The electric lamp includes an electric light bulb 1 adapted
`to be connected with an electric power supply. such as a dry
`cell. a battery. an electric generator or a commercial power
`supply (none of them being shown). and a shade or light
`reflector 2 made of metal or plastics and disposed around the
`light bulb 1. The light reflector 2 has a generally dome-like
`shape. for example. such as shown in FIG. 4. and has an
`inside surface 3 extending circumferentially around the light
`bulb 1. The inside surface 3 preferably has a high reflectively
`and is composed of an annular central portion forming a
`light reflecting stnface 4. and an annular peripheral portion
`consisting of a phosphorescent element 5 which is capable
`of absorbing and storing natural or artificial light and then
`emitting it when in the dark. The central portion ofthe inside
`surface 3 may be composed of the phosphorescent element
`5 in which instance the peripheral portion forms the light
`reflecting surface 4. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.
`when the light bulb 1 is in the on-state. the phosphorescent
`element 5 absorbs and stores light emitted from the light
`bulb 1. And. when the light bt.Ilb I is turned off or can only
`produce a weak emission of light. the phosphorescent ele-
`ment 5 emits die stored radiation energy in the form of
`visible light. thereby illuminating a portion of the inside
`surface 3 of the light reflectcr 2.
`Preferably. the phosphorescent element 5 is composed of
`a phosphorescent paint coated on a desired portion
`(periphatal portion in FIG. 1) of the reflective inside surface
`3. the paint being a mixture of phosphorescent pigments and
`a highly transparent binding medium. The phosphorescent
`pigments include ones having a man-ht crystal composed of
`SrA.l.,O, or Z.nSCu. manufacnncd and sold by Nemoto Co..
`Ltd. under the tradenarne “LumiNova". which are excited by
`light at a wavelength in the range of 250-400 mm and emit
`phosphorescent lig1t{a.ftezglow) at a wavelength about 520
`nm for a long period of time. When illuminated at 200 LL
`
`4
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`the phosphorescent pigments require only a 10-minutes
`exciting time until an 80% sanitation is reached. A 20%
`brightness reduction occurs only at an end of about 10
`minutes afterglow of the phosphorescent pigments. The
`phosphorescent element 5 may be in the form of a phos-
`phorescent sheet molded of a transparent synthetic resin
`containing the phosphorescent pigment. The molded phos-
`phorescent sheet is attached to the desired portion of the
`reflcctive inside stnface. The phosphorescent sheet may be
`of the laminated structure composed of a base layer of a
`synthetic resin and a phosphorescent layer of a transparent
`synthetic resin including the phosphorescent pigment. The
`base layer may be soft and flexible or rigid and inflexible in
`nature but it preferably has a high refloctively. In the case
`where the light reflector 2 is molded of a synthetic resin. the
`synthetic resin preferably contains 5 to 10% by weight of the
`phosphorescent pigment. and a portion of the inside surface
`of the molded light reflector 2 is formed into a light
`reflecting surface by applying a rellective paint layer on the
`back of the phosphorescent molded light reflector 2. The
`area ratio of the light reflectiog stnface 4 to the phospho-
`rescent element 5 should by no means is limited to 1:1 but
`may be determined in view of the type of application or use
`of the electric lamp.
`FIG. 2 shows a modified form of the light reflector 2
`according to the present invention. The light reflector 2 has
`an inside reflective surface 3 having a plurality of circum-
`ferentially equidistant surface portions extending radially
`outwardly from a ligit bulb 1 and each composed of a
`phosphorescent element 5.T|1e phosphorescent elements 5
`are spaced at 30 degrees. and the area ratio of the phospho-
`rescent elements 5 to light reflecting stnface 4 is 1:1. The
`phosphorescent element 5 may be provided in the form of a
`phosphorescent paint. a phosphorescent sheet or tape. or a
`molded portion of a phosphorescent resin. as dembed
`above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
`A modified light reflcctor 2 shown in FIG. 3 dilfers from
`one shown in FIG. 2 in that the phosphorescent element 5 is
`composed of a plurality of circurnferentially equidistant
`phosphorescent pieces so projecting from the light reflecting
`surface 3. The phosphorescent pieces So are molded of a
`transparent synthetic resin containing a phosphorescent pig-
`ment of the class described above. By virtue of the project-
`ing phospbwescent pieces ‘So. it is possible to increase the
`volume of the phosphorescent element 5 while maintaining
`a large area of the light reflecting surface 4.
`FIG. 5 shows a portable lamp such as a flashlight accord-
`ing to another embodiment of the present invention. 'I‘he
`flashlight includes a small light bulb l. a light reflector 2
`around time light bulb 1 and having a light reflccting surface
`3 for reflecting light from the light bulb 1 toward a desired
`direction. a tubular cover 7 disposed concentrically around
`the light bulb 1 and supporting thereon the light reflector 2.
`a transparent face plate 8 fitted in the tubular cover 7 in front
`of the light bulb 1. and a cylindrical case 9 for holding
`therein one or more dry cells (not shown). The tubular cover
`'7 is molded of a n-ansparent synthetic resin. preferably an
`acrylic resin. containing 10% by weight of phosphorescent
`pigments of the class described above. The tubular cover 7
`thus forms a phosphorescent element and is able to absorb
`and store light of the light bulb l reflected from the light
`reflector 2.
`In a field test. an outdoor lamp constructed in a manner
`shown in FIG. 3 and having a rnaximnm diameter or 10 cm
`was hung down with its reflecting surface 4 facing down-
`wards at a level 60 cm above a table. After the on-state of
`the lamp continued for 10 minutes in the dark. the light bulb
`
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`0008
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`0008
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`5,757.11]
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`5
`1 was named ofl°. whereupon the phosphorescent element 5
`(i.e.. the phosphorescent pieces 5a) started emitting light
`with a level of brightness which was suflicient to enable a
`party to have a meal on the table for 6 minutes or longer.
`Afterglow of the phosphoresceltt element 5 remained visible
`for 5 hours or longer so that the presence of the outdoor lamp
`could be readily recognized even when the outdoor lamp
`was left alone in the field.
`
`In an experiment using a similar lamp having a diameter
`of about 8 cm and attached to a bicycle lamp. it was proved
`that phosphorescence from the phosphorescent element 5
`could be identified from a position 100 meters ahead of the
`bicycle without ambient light The bicycle lamp having such
`phosphorescent element is therefore particularly useful as a
`safety means for night bicycle-riding.
`FIG. 6 shows an all-night emugency light embodying the
`electric lamp of the present invention. The all-night emer-
`gency light
`includes a small
`light bulb 10. such as a
`transparent incandescent bulb or a neon bulb. a back plate 12
`disposed behind the light bulb 10 and having an automatic
`flashing circuit AFC of a simple construction such as shown
`in FIG. 8. a photoelectric transducer 13 such as a CdS
`mounted on the back plate 12 and electrically incorporated
`in the automatic flashing circuit AI-C together with the light
`bulb 10. and blades 1-! electrically connected with the
`automatic flashing circuit AFC.
`the blades 14 being
`assembled with the back plate 12 to form a plug unit. The
`blades 14 of the plug unit are normally connected with a
`commercial power supply. The light bulb 10 is automatically
`turned on and of by the automatic flashing circuit AFC
`depending on an intensity of ambient light detected by the
`photoelectric transducer Kids) 13. More specifically. the
`light bulb 10 is turned on when the level of ambient light
`falls below a precleterrnined threshold value. Conversely.
`when the level of ambient light exceeds the predetermined
`threshold value. the light bulb is turned ed.
`The all-night emergency light ftnther includes a cover
`case 15 molded of a transparent synthetic resin and attached
`to the back plate 12 of the plug unit so that the light bulb 10
`is contained in the cover case 15. The cover case 15 includes
`a face plate 16 having an outer surface composed of a
`number of pyramidal prisms 16a. The face plate 16 thus
`constructed forms a light scattering plate so that the light
`bulb 10 and parts of the automatic flashing circuit AFC‘
`contained in the cover case 15 cannot be visually observed
`through the face place 16 when the light bulb 10 is in the
`otf—state. When the light bulb stays lit. the transparent face
`plate 16 does not absorb light and. by virtue of a p-lttrality of
`luminescent spots formed by the pyramidal prisms. the face
`plate 16 can produce an emission of light of a particular
`texture. Typical examples of the face plate 16 are disclosed
`in Japanese Utility Model Publications Nos. 54-42558 and
`59-29234. The cover case 15 also includes an annular side
`wall 17 extending around the light bulb 10.
`The all-night emergency fight further includes a phospho-
`rescent element 18 disposed on an inside surface the back
`plate 12 and an outer surface of the side wall 17 either oven‘
`the entire area of. or over a part of. each of these surfaces.
`The phosphorescent element 18 contains phosphorescent
`pigments of the class described above with respect to the
`embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 and is capable of absorb-
`ing and storing natural light or light from the light bulb 10
`and then emitting it in the font: of visible light when the
`electricity is cut ofi’ in the night. In order to provide a
`sufiicient time period for emergency evacuation. it is pref-
`erable that phosphorescence (afterglow) of the phosphores-
`cent element 18 remains visible for 5-10 minutes and has a
`
`6
`sufficient level of brightness to illuminate in and around the
`emergency light. The phosphorescent element 18 is prefer-
`ably provided in the form of a phosphorescent paint layer or
`a phosphorescent tape or sheet.
`In use of the all-night emergency light. during the daytime
`and when the light bulb It] stays lit
`in the night.
`the
`phosphorescent element 18 absorbs and stores natural light
`and light from the light bulb 10. In the case of an interruption
`of power supply OCCl.I1't'Ed in tile night. the light bulb 10 is
`turned off. whereupon the phosphorescent element 18 starts
`emitting stored radiant energy in the form of visible light.
`The emitted light passes through an interior space of the
`cover case 15 and through the face plate 16 where it is
`scattered to thereby illuminate in and abound the cover case
`15. In this instance. if the light bulb 10 is composed of a
`transparent bulb. the light emitted from the phosphorescent
`element 18 passes through the light bulb 10 and illuminate
`the cover case 15 without forming a silhouette of the light
`bulb 10 so that all of the radiant energy of the phosphores-
`cent element 18 can be utilized as illuminating light.
`A modified all-night emergency light shown in FIG. 7
`includes a two-piece cover case 24 composed of a box-like
`cover case body 22 having an open side. and a back plate 23
`attached to the cover case body 22 to close the open side of
`the same. with a small light bulb 10 contained in the cover
`case 24. The cover case body 22 is molded of a transparent
`synthetic resin and has a face plate 20 confronting the back
`plate 23 wim the light bulb 10 disposed centrally t.herebe—
`tween. The face plate 20 has an outside surface composed of
`a number of pyramidal prisms and hence forms a light
`scattering face plate. The back plate 13 has an inside surface
`confronting the inside surface of the face plate 20 and
`carrying thereon a phosphorescent element 18 of the same
`class as one shown in FIG. 6. The phosphorescent element
`18 may be composed of a phosphorescent paint. a phospho-
`rescent tape or sheet. or a synthetic resin containing a
`phosphorescent pigment and molded into the back plate 23.
`The cover case 24 is attached to a plug unit composed of a
`base 25 and a pair of blades 14. The blades 14 are normally
`connected with a commercial power supply. and the base 25
`houses therein an automatic flashing circuit AFC. such as
`shown in FIG. 8. having a photoelectric transducer 13 such
`as a 018 attached to an outside surface of the base 25. The
`plug unit is also provided with a socket 26 projecting into the
`cover case 24 through a side wall 21 forreceiving therein the
`light bulb 10. The socket 26 may project through the back
`plate 1! into the cover case 24.
`The all-night emergency light of the foregoing construc-
`tion operates in the same manner as one shown in FIG. 6 and
`no further description is needed.
`The face plate 16; 20 of the cover case 15: 24 always
`forms a luminous surface regardless of whether the light
`bulb ll stays lit in the night. or it is turned down in the night
`due to an interruption of electric power supply. Accordingly.
`when the electricity is cut oil’ in the night. the user can
`readily recognize the position of the ergency light wile
`being lit by phosphorescence of the phosphorescent element
`18 and then take necessary actions for emergency evacua-
`tion using ligit of the emergency light. Since illumination in
`an emagency can be obtained without relying upon an
`electric energy from a separate power supply. the all-night
`emergency light is free from an operation failure. such as
`accidental shorts or burning. even when it is submerged by
`sprinklers. 'I‘he all-night emergency light of this invention is.
`therefore. highly safe in operation. Furthermore. the all-
`night emergency light is compact and lightweight and hence
`can readily be set at any desired position.
`
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`0009
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`0009
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`

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`5.757.111
`
`7
`
`Obviously. various minor changes and modifications of
`the present invention are possible in the light of the above
`teaching. It is therefore to be understood that within the
`scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced
`otherwise than as specifically described.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A night light for use with an electric power supply.
`comprising:
`an electric light bulb that produces light when excited by
`the electric power supply;
`a phosphorescent element disposed near said light bulb
`and capable of absorbing and storing light from said
`light bulb and then emitting it in the form of visible
`light when said light bulb is turned oil‘ in the dark or can
`only produce a weak emission of light; and
`a transparent cover case containing therein said light bulb.
`wherein said cover case has a face plate disposed on
`one side of said cover case. and said phosphorescent
`element is disposed at least on the opposite side of said
`cover case from said face plate so that light emitted
`from said phosphorescent element
`illuminates said
`transparent cover case.
`2. A night
`light according to claim 1. wherein said
`transparent cover case further has an annular side wall
`extending around said light bulb. said phosphorescent ele»
`ment is also disposed on an outer surface of said annular side
`wall.
`
`8
`light according to claim 1. wherein said
`3. A night
`transparent cover case further has a back plate disposed on
`said opposite side of said cover case and having an inside
`surface confronting said face plate. said phosphorescent
`element extending over said inside surface.
`4. A night light according to claim 1. wherein said face
`plate is composed of a light scattering plate having an outer
`surface composed of a number of pyramidal prisms.
`5. A night light according to claim 4. wherein said light
`bulb is a transparent light bulb.
`6. A night light according to claim 1. for used as an
`ali~night emergency light. further including an automatic
`flashing circuit electrically connected with said light bulb
`and adapted to be connected with the electric power supply.
`so as to automatically switching on and oil’ said light bulb
`according to ambient illumination intensity.
`7. A night light according to claim 6. further including a
`plug unit adapted to be connected to the electric power
`supply and containing therein said automatic flashing
`circuit. said plug unit being attached to said cover case.
`8. A night light according to claim 7. wherein said plug
`unit has a portion confronting said face plate and carrying
`thereon said phosphorescent element.
`*
`it
`It
`I
`!
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`25
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`0010
`
`0010