Illumination – With liquid container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-17
2001-07-03
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With liquid container
C362S101000, C362S255000, C422S004000, C422S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254248
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a device for setting on a light bulb to dispense fragrance in a controlled manner and in response to heat generated by the light bulb.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
A preliminary patentability search produced the following patents which appear to be relevant to the present invention:
Haensel, U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,796, issued Jan. 6, 1976, discloses an electric lamp bulb having a covering of active oxidation catalyst such that fumes and odors in the confines of a room that are drawn over the catalytic surface will be converted to less objectional products.
Lindauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,099, issued Jan. 15, 1980, discloses a ring or toroid formed of a relatively rigid Versalon® type polyamide resin containing volatile substances such as perfume oil, odorants, insecticides, bactericides and animal repellents. The toroid is disclosed as being wrapped around the surface of an electric light bulb, so that when the light bulb is energized, the light bulb will emit perfume into the atmosphere.
Gyulay, U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,428, issued Mar. 3, 1987, discloses a porous ceramic ring sized to be supported on the upper end of an upright light bulb. The ring has a cavity on the top side thereof for holding a predetermined volume of a fragrant oil. The oil will be absorbed by the ring. When the light bulb is energized, the oil absorbed by the ring will be vaporized due to the heat applied thereto by the light bulb.
Spector, U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,433, issued Mar. 3, 1987, discloses a capsule for being attached to the surface of an incandescent light bulb. The capsule includes a flexible pad of porous material impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrances, sandwiched between a base and a cover formed of a metal foil-plastic laminate. The cover has a vent hole therein. The base is coated with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive whereby the capsule may be adhered to the surface of the light bulb. Heat from the light bulb will volatilize the liquid impregnant to produce an aromatic vapor that is discharged through the vent hole.
Huff, U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,231, issued Jun. 1, 1999, discloses an absorbent pad made from a non-combustible material such as Manniglas 1200™ for fitting over and securely gripping a light bulb at its widest point. Drops of fragrance oil are placed on the absorbent pad either after or before the absorbent pad is placed on the light bulb. When the light bulb is turned on, the absorbed fragrance oil will be vaporized due to the heat generated by the light bulb.
“Light ring” type fragrance dispensers that emit a fragrance when placed on a light bulb have been available for several years. However, all know prior art “light ring” type fragrance dispensers have certain disadvantages. For example, most prior art “light ring” type fragrance dispensers cause the fragrance medium (typically a fragrant oil) to touch the light bulb, thus reducing the lift of the light bulb. Also, the common prior art “light ring” type fragrance dispensers are made of felt material that have the risk of burning. In addition, with prior art “light ring” type fragrance dispensers, the amount of fragrance has never been controllable; with such prior art “light ring” type fragrance dispensers the fragrance is typically strong at first and then fades out over time.
Nothing in the known prior art discloses or suggests the present invention. More specifically, nothing in the known prior art discloses or suggests a fragrance dispenser including a body member having an opening for receiving a portion of a light bulb and having a cavity for holding a fragrance medium so that when the fragrance medium is held in the cavity, the light bulb is energized, and at least a portion of the light bulb is received in the opening the body member, heat from the light bulb will be transferred through at least a portion of the body member to the fragrance medium held in the cavity in the body member to cause the fragrance medium to emit a fragrance; and including control means for controlling the emissions of fragrance from the fragrance medium held in the cavity in the body member.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fragrance dispenser for use with a light bulb to dispense fragrance in a controlled manner and in response to heat generated by the light bulb.
The fragrance dispenser of the present invention comprises, in general, a body member having an opening for receiving a portion of a light bulb and having a cavity for holding a fragrance medium so that when the fragrance medium is held in the cavity, the light bulb is energized, and at least a portion of the light bulb is received in the opening the body member, heat from the light bulb will be transferred through at least a portion of the body member to the fragrance medium held in the cavity in the body member to cause the fragrance medium to emit a fragrance; and control means for controlling the emissions of fragrance from the fragrance medium held in the cavity in the body member.
One object of the present invention is to provide a so-called “light ring” type fragrance dispenser for use with a light bulb and that allows the amount of fragrance put out to be controlled.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fragrance dispenser in which the fragrance medium (e.g., fragrant oil, etc.) never touches the light bulb so that the life of the light bulb by coming in contact with the fragrance medium.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fragrance dispenser in which all portions thereof that come in contact with the light bulb are constructed of highly heat and flame resistant material to thereby reduce the risk of burning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fragrance dispenser in which the fragrance medium (e.g., fragrant oil, etc.) is fully contained or positioned within the dispenser so that the likelihood of spillage of the fragrance medium in the event the fragrance dispenser is dropped or knock-off the light bulb is reduced to a minimum, thereby reducing the possibility of burning or damage to furniture, floors, etc., caused by spillage of fragrance medium.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3930796 (1976-01-01), Haensel
patent: 3959642 (1976-05-01), Turro
patent: 4184099 (1980-01-01), Lindauer et al.
patent: 4493011 (1985-01-01), Spector
patent: 4647428 (1987-03-01), Gyulay
patent: 4647433 (1987-03-01), Spector
patent: 5908231 (1999-06-01), Huff
McAuley Diann Looney
McAuley Gene William
BJM, Inc.
Husar Stephen
Walker, McKenzie & Walker PC
Ward John Anthony
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