Illumination – Light source or light source support and luminescent material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-03
2002-11-26
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source or light source support and luminescent material
C362S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06485159
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a holder, canister, container, receptacle, box or kit having luminosity for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the outer surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source. More particularly, luminescent containers such as first-aid kits, survival containers, tool boxes, security boxes and the like, in which the chemiluminescent coating on its outer surfaces and handles gives the user a source of visible light in order for the user to have access to those items in the absence of any light source during emergency conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Frequently, many types of emergency conditions and situations are experienced in homes, offices, stores, industrial plant facilities and commercial establishments involving power failures where an interior or exterior area has no visible light. These power failures may be caused by electrical short circuits, fire, accidents, brown-outs, black-outs, natural disasters (such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, typhoons, tidal surges, etc.) or a planned shutdown or shut-off of electricity to a residential dwelling or commercial facility. As a result of these emergencies, most facilities, and especially residential homes, do not have emergency generators, or only emergency light sources (such as lanterns, flash lights, etc.) to provide visible lighting for leaving or entering such buildings during these emergency conditions.
First-aid kits, tool boxes, flashlight holders, survival rations, food containers having light reflectors, reflective tape; reflective paint thereon are commonly used to locate these receptacles for normal or emergency situations involving power failures, fires, smog, earthquakes and the like, where interior or exterior areas have a minimum or complete to absence of light. These containers/holder, etc. are typically stored on shelves, walls, or on cabinets to facilitate their locations.
Many types of materials are known to help reflect light or transmit light, these include reflective metallic materials, reflective paints and chemiluminescent materials. Most of the aforementioned materials will only function in the presence of some light.
There remains a need for boxes, containers, holders, kits, receptacles and the like having luminosity for use in a variety of emergency type items, products or devices for providing a visible light source in the absence of any light during an emergency non-lighted condition in order to provide automatic and natural illumination to an area when a power failure occurs. Examples of such hardware and emergency-type products can be in the form of first-aid kits, survival food containers, flashlight holders, tool boxes, gasoline containers, kerosine lanterns, canteens, portable water holders, generators, propane canisters/lanterns and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Luminescent articles and devices such as indicators, containers, bottles, labels, clipboards, lamp shades, aerodynamic discs and duplicating devices of various configurations, structures and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,050 to BRITT et al discloses a phosphorescent escape route indicator having at least one protruding indicia formed within or attached to a sheet of material. The protruding indicia has incorporated therewith a phosphorescent substance capable of emitting a glow in the absence of light. An adhesive formed as part of the sheet is utilized to apply the indicator to the surface of walls or stairways thereby aiding in delineating escape route or access routes to emergency equipment during time of emergency. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach a container, receptacle or box having luminosity, being a luminescent coating thereon, for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source; and wherein the luminescent coating has a protective material coating thereon to prevent the luminescent coating from wearing-off.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,817 to DUDNICK discloses a container having a latent message on the container's surface is coated with a luminescent, phosphorescent and/or fluorescent material, such that the warning message glows and is clearly discernible in the dark. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach a container, receptacle or box having luminosity, being a luminescent coating thereon, for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source; and wherein the luminescent coating has a protective material coating thereon to prevent the luminescent coating from wearing-off.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,896 to JOHNSON discloses a method of producing improved infant care articles, such as baby bottle assemblies, characterized by the inclusion of a non-toxic, non-irritating phosphorescent material with the material of construction of components of the infant care articles so that such components phosphorescently emit light visible in a darkened environment, allowing the location and position of the articles to be readily determined without the need for an additional light source. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach a container, receptacle or box having luminosity, being a luminescent coating thereon, for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source; and wherein the luminescent coating has a protective material coating thereon to prevent the luminescent coating from wearing-off.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,647 to GLUCK discloses a luminescent golf ball including a distinct luminescent coating formed and adhered to the entire outer curved surface, the luminescent coating is made from a luminescent chemical material in different colors being white, red, yellow or green, and has a clear and transparent shell protecting the luminescent coating. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach a container, receptacle or box having luminosity, being a luminescent coating thereon, for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source; and wherein the luminescent coating has a protective material coating thereon to prevent the luminescent coating from wearing-off.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,937 to SACHETTI discloses structures, such as labels on beer bottles having fluorescent and phosphorescent materials that emit and reflect light to provide a sense of identity to the beer bottle. The label is in the form of a blanket that has a protective grid of phosphorescent material thereon, such that when the phosphorescent material is exposed to light and placed in a dark environment the beer bottle label emits light for a period time. The protective grid is a pattern of intersecting ribbons of phosphorescent material anchored to and covering substantially one surface of the label. The protective grid provides a visual light shield that creates an image of identification for that label. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach a container, receptacle or box having luminosity, being a luminescent coating thereon, for emergency or non-lighted conditions in which to illuminate the surfaces of such containers, and give them visibility in the absence of any light source; and wherein the luminescent coating has a protective material coating thereon to prevent the luminescent coating from wearing-off.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,623 to BROTZ discloses an illuminated clipboard having a transparent body with a light-emitting, light-diffusing upper surface and a curved bottom surface wherein the bottom surface curves upward at its sides to meet the top surface with a light source disposed within the transparent body of the clipboard to reflect light off the curved bottom which causes the light within the transparent body of the clipboard to be
O'Shea Sandra
Sawhney Hargobind S.
LandOfFree
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