Abstract:
A chemiluminescent lighting device having a flexible casing surrounding the source of light. A separate transparent, translucent or opaque sleeve is placed about the casing to improve the gripping and the aesthetic feel of the device while passing the light. The sleeve may be in the form of a spiral or net exposing portions of the casing. The sleeve may include colored polymers to produce multi-colored effects. The sleeve may also include fluorescers to retain intensity and/or change colors. The lighting device enhances the visual appeal of novelty items such as necklaces and bracelets, and provides a tactile grip when used as a hand-held illumination device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application, Ser. No. 10/984,549, filed Nov. 08, 2004 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of chemiluminescent illumination devices and in particular to the use of an enlarged sleeve that can be coupled to a chemiluminescent source of light. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Chemiluminescent illumination 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 and 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 the illumination properties of chemiluminescent 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. When used with novelty items, most of these improvements strive to create attractive illumination about the area around the vessel and within the vessel itself. 
     The use of a dye and/or fluoresecer in the vessel casing is also well known, being first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,211 which sets forth a vessel casing for use with chemiluminescent light wherein the visible color of the light emission can be varied by using colored plastic. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,987 disclosed a multi-colored plastic casing for housing chemiluminescent reactants. The color of light emission depended upon the type of fluorescent compound used in the plastic casing and its spectral response. However, the visible color could also be varied by simply using a colored plastic. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,320 discloses a chemical light device having a chemiluminescent solution with a first fluorescer contained in a transparent or tranlucent vessel with a second fluorescer incorporated in the walls of the vessel to shift at least a part of the shorter wavelength emission of the first fluorescer to a longer wavelength emission of the second fluorescer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,366 discloses a multi-colored chemiluminescent fishing lure formed from a connector body having a plurality of color tubes in a predetermined angular relationship. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,614 to Pinciaro discloses a chemiluminescent jewelry item with a sleeve, in the form of a helix, for attaching the chemiluminescent tube to the support plate. 
     Assignee Omniglow has sold wrapped chemiluminescent tubes consisting of a transparent plastic chemiluminescent lighting device with a plastic wrap secured thereto, the plastic wrap having various designs printed thereon including multi-color designs of cakes, presents, confetti, and “Happy Birthday”. Omniglow has also sold chemiluminescent lighting devices formed from a clear plastic vessel casing with colored plastic end caps. In addition, chemiluminescent lighting devices have been sold wherein half of the chemiluminescent lighting device is painted red with a sliding “over tube” to block out the painted portion and/or the non-painted portion. 
     While the chemiluminescent lighting devices have many advantages, the separation of the chemical components before use and the need to utilize a type of material that is chemically resistant to the components, limit the type of vessel materials to polyethylene, polypropylene and the like plastic, all of which do not inherently have tactile properties. Further, these materials are usually extruded in a tubular shape producing a monotonous surface area. 
     What is needed in the art is a separate sleeve surrounding the light source which improves the tactile property of the lighting device and is capable of incorporating fluorescing material and/or materials emitting different colors and can be interchanged with other sleeves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a hand held illumination device having a flexible plastic vessel casing surrounding a chemical light source. A separate transparent, translucent, opaque or metallized sleeve of the instant invention is placed about the casing to improve the manual gripping and the aesthetic feel of the device or providing a novel way of changing colors or enhancing light emission along the length of the device, during transmission of the chemical light. The sleeve may be in the form of a spiral or net exposing portions of the casing. The sleeve may include colored polymers to produce multi-colored effects. The sleeve may also include fluorescers to retain light intensity and/or change colors. The sleeve may be a brightly colored metal or flexible plastic with a metal coating, simulating gold and silver. 
     Therefore, it is an objective of this invention to provide a chemiluminescent device with a separate sleeve for decorative and improved handling properties. 
     It is another objective of this invention to provide an enhanced lighting device for safety, signs, advertising devices, illumination devices and novelty applications, such as necklaces and light sticks. 
     Still another objective of this invention to provide an enhanced lighting device having additional “play value” allowing an individual to stretch, coil, slide, push &amp; pull the wrap which also provide color changes when light passes through the wrap. 
     It is another objective of this invention to provide a hand held lighting device having improved tactile properties. 
     It is another objective of this invention to provide a lighting device that produces multicolored light in the visible and invisible spectrum. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide a lighting device that includes materials that will glow when struck with light. 
     It is yet another objective of this invention to provide a lighting device that produces multicolored visible light and will glow. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, 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 DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of a lighting device of this invention with a spiral sleeve; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective of a lighting device of this invention with a net sleeve extension; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross section of  FIG. 2  showing the end connector; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross section of another embodiment of the connector of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of another net sleeve; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective of another spiral sleeve; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an enlarged spiral sleeve; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the spiral sleeve in  FIG. 7  with the ends coupled together to form a necklace or bracelet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in the FIGS., the lighting devices  10  of this invention have a casing  11  through which light passes from the chemical reaction within the casing. The casing  11  may be made out of any material compatible with the chemiluminescent system inside. It can be clear, opaque, or colored, in whole or in part, or in combination. The colorant can be a dye, pigment, or fluorescer, or a combination. Additionally, the wall of the casing  11  can have materials embedded in it, such as, without limitation, glass, glitter, beads, etc. Glitter is defined to mean particles made from aluminum foil, plastic film, metallicized film, cellulose, paper, microspheres and/or nanodots. 
     Surrounding the casing  11  is a sleeve  12  which also passes light and may be transparent, translucent or opaque in whole or in part, or in combination. The sleeve  12  may include extensions  22  beyond the ends of the casing  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The sleeve is formed of a helix  13  which is separated so that alternating spirals of the helix and the casing are visible, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The sleeve  12  is formed as a net  14  with portions of the sleeve defining interstices which expose the casing, also shown in  FIG. 2 . The extensions  22  may be used as handles, swing handles, or for connection through the connector  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to form a necklace or bracelet. 
     The sleeve  12  can be made from a different material than the polyethylene or polypropylene of the tubular casing  11 . The sleeve is a polymer, such as vinyl, which is aesthetically pleasing when gripped or carried by the user. Because of the lands and grooves of the sleeve structure, the sleeve  12  adds a non-slip surface as well as a better tactile sensation. The sleeve  12  can be clear, opaque or colored, in whole or in part, or in combination. The colorant can be a dye, pigment, or fluorescer, or a combination. Additionally, the wall of the casing  11  can have materials embedded in it, such as, without limitation, glass, glitter, and/or beads. 
     Further, the sleeve  12  may be a metal spiral, much like a coil spring, which has a bright finish with or without a relief pattern. The spiral may have colored beads set in the sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve  12  may be made of a polymer resiliently shaped into a helix and having a laminate of metal to simulate gold or silver. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lighting device  10  has a relatively rigid sealed inner tube  16  containing one component  17  of the luminous agent. The inner tube is enclosed in a relatively flexible sealed casing  11 . The casing  11  is larger than the inner tube to accommodate one of the components of a two part component system such as a quantity of oxidant between the inner tube  16  and the walls of the casing  11 . In this embodiment, the end caps or plugs  18  and  19  act as enclosures. To produce illumination, the flexible casing  11  is bent resulting in the rupture of the inner tube  16 . The resultant mixture of the luminous agent and the oxidant starts a chemical reaction producing visible and/or invisible light. This light has a perceived color based on the specific ingredients, for example green or red or other color. The luminous agent and/or the oxidant can be clear, opaque or colored or a combination. The colorant can be a dye, pigment, or fluorescer, or a combination. Additionally, either or both the chemiluminescent components can have materials in it, such as, without limitation, glass, glitter, and/or beads. 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the connector  30  is a short tubular structure made of a polymer in a size and shape to telescope over the ends of the outer casing  11  when the ends of the casing are brought together to form a necklace or bracelet. The telescoped connection between the connector and the ends of the casing will hold the casing in a 360 degree arc. The ends  31 ,  32  of the sleeve  12  are captured between the casing  11  and the connector  30  to lock the sleeve in place about the casing. The ends  31 ,  32  of the sleeve form an irregular surface in the telescoped connection and contribute to the strength of the connection. The connector  30  and the sleeve  12  may each be a separate element of the device. The connection may be opened and closed repeatedly from either end. 
     Or, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the connector  30  and one end  31  of the sleeve may be permanently attached to one end of the casing to prevent complete separation of the several components of the device. Sleeve end  31  and connector  30  have a molded junction  33  with each other and the casing. Any other conventional attachment may be used, such as adhesives, heat and pressure or others. The other end of the sleeve  32  may be permanently attached to the casing, if desired. However, the end  32  of the sleeve and the connector  30  form a closure that can be opened and closed. 
     In the event that the sleeve  12  is formed of a transparent, translucent, opaque polymer, or metallized polymer without additives, the lighting device  10  would appear to have a spiral or net or stripes of a different shade of the same color as the casing  11 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5–6 , it is also within the purview of the invention to provide the entire sleeve in a different color or as a light blocker to produce a barber pole, checked or striped effect with different colors from the casing  11  and the sleeve. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sleeve  12  has additives  20  included in the polymer. These additives may be in the form of powders or particles of dye or other material that will emit a different color than the monochromatic light striking the sleeve from within. Also included are other additives  21  which are phosphorescent or fluorescent and will appear to glow when struck by the chemiluminescent light. Because of the luminescence of these additives, a brighter emission is perceived. These additives may be used together or separately for different visual effects. 
     The sleeves formed as a helix  13  and net  14  may be produced as separate tubular elements from the chemiluminescent lighting devices. The polymer from which the sleeves are fabricated have the necessary flexibility, elasticity, size, and shape to be telescoped onto the casing of a chemiluminescent lighting device and remain in place. In this way various colors may be added to a monochromatic lighting device. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lighting devices  10  of this invention have a casing  11  through which light passes from the chemical reaction within the casing. Surrounding the casing  11  is a sleeve  12  which also passes light and may be transparent, translucent or opaque in whole or in part, or in combination. Ends  31  and  32  of the sleeve  12  are positioned beneath the coupler  30 . In this embodiment, the sleeve is formed of a spiral configuration that assimilates a coil spring. When the coupler  30  is secured to each end of the casing, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the device creates a necklace or bracelet. The sleeve  12  can be made from a different material than the polyethylene or polypropylene of the tubular casing  11 . The sleeve is a polymer, such as vinyl, which is aesthetically pleasing when gripped or carried by the user and further provides an asetically pleasing necklace or bracelet. Ends  31 ,  32  of the sleeve  12  are captured between the casing  11  and the connector  30  to lock the sleeve in place about the casing. In this embodiment, a casing used for a necklace may be double looped to reduce the opening size and be worn as a bracelet. The connector  30  and the sleeve  12  may each be a separate element of the device. The connection may be opened and closed repeatedly from either end. 
     In the event that the sleeve  12  is formed of a transparent, translucent, opaque polymer, or metallized polymer without additives, the lighting device  10  would appear to have a spiral coil of a different shade of the same color as the casing  11 . It is also within the purview of the invention to provide the entire sleeve in a different color or as a light blocker to produce a barber pole or striped effect with different colors from the casing  11  and the sleeve. 
     While the removable sleeves of this invention have been discussed in relation to chemiluminescent light, these sleeves may be used in conjunction with lighting devices having other light generating devices, such as batteries or wind generators. 
     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.