Abstract:
A hand-held fan comprising a plurality of blades, each blade coupled to another blade via a joint. The fan further comprises webbing between each of the plurality of blades and a chemi-luminescent module coupled to one of the plurality of blades. The chemi-luminescent module emits light visible through the webbing of the hand-held fan.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application filed Apr. 18, 2006, titled “Light-Emitting Fan,” given the application No. 60/745,047 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various items are used in night-life activities (e.g., in nightclubs) that enhance the atmosphere for and the enjoyment of participants. These items often serve utilitarian as well as aesthetic purposes. Accordingly, improvements that enhance the utility and aesthetics of such items are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Accordingly, there are disclosed herein a hand-held fan containing chemical which emit light through a webbing of the fan. At least some embodiments of the fan comprise a plurality of blades, each blade coupled to another blade via a joint. The fan further comprises webbing between each of the plurality of blades and a chemi-luminescent module coupled to one of the plurality of blades. The chemi-luminescent module emits light visible through the webbing of the hand-held fan. 
         [0004]    Another embodiment of the fan comprises a plurality of blades, each blade coupled to at least one other blade. The embodiment further comprises a translucent material coupled to each of the plurality of blades, and a module comprising chemicals which, when mixed and exposed to air, emit light that is visible through the translucent material of the luminescent hand-held fan. 
         [0005]    Yet another embodiment of the fan comprises a plurality of blades, at least some of the blades coupled to other blades. The embodiment further comprises means for covering the blades and for passing light, and means for emitting light through the means for covering. The device comprises a hand-held fan. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an illustrative embodiment of the fan in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the fan of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a chemi-luminescent module comprising a glass ampoule, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of an outermost blade of the fan of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of the outermost blade of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows how various blades of the fan of  FIG. 1  are coupled together by way of a pin, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE 
       [0013]    Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As on skilled in the art will appreciate, companies may refer to a components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure is limited to that embodiment. 
         [0015]    There is disclosed herein an illuminated, hand-held fan. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the fan  10  comprises a plurality of collapsible blades  20  joined at a base by a hinged joint  40 . In at least some embodiments, each blade couples at its unhinged end to at least one sheet of material  30  which serves as a webbing for the fan  10 . Simultaneously referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two outermost blades  21  may serve as handles for the fan  10  and allow for the insertion or affixation of one or more chemi-luminescence module(s)  22  to the fan  10 . 
         [0016]    The collapsible blades  20 ,  21  are made of a substantially stiff and resilient material, such as plastic or wood. The scope of disclosure is not limited to the use of plastic or wood, however, and other suitable materials also are usable. Each blade  20 ,  21  couples (e.g., is enclosed) at its unhinged end with the aforementioned sheet material  30  which covers approximately 50% to 80% of the blades&#39; length spanning 180 degrees when all blades  20 ,  21  are unfolded. 
         [0017]    The sheet material  30  preferably comprises any suitable material which permits light to pass through the material. As such, in some embodiments, the sheet material may comprise a transparent material, and in other embodiments, the sheet material may comprise a translucent material. The sheet material  30  optionally may be decorated as desired. 
         [0018]    The sheet material  30  may advantageously be creased in increments for repeated folding and unfolding of the handheld fan. The sheet material  30  also may be coated in a photo-luminescent substance that enables the fan  10  to emit light. The sheet material  30  may be coated with a phosphorus substance such as Zinc Sulfide and Strontium Aluminate. This phosphorus substance can absorb energy from being placed in proximity of a lamp or similar light source. In darkened environments, the photo-luminescent coating glows. 
         [0019]    As previously mentioned, the two outermost blades  21  may serve as handles for the fan and allow for the insertion or affixation of one or more chemi-luminescent module(s)  22 . These modules  22  may be manufactured using clear plastic or similar material composed of a nontoxic chemical solution such as phenyl oxalate ester and colored dye. As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, a small, thin-walled glass ampoule(s)  32  may be contained at the base of the module(s)  22 , which houses a solution(s) of hydrogen peroxide dissolve phthalic ester. The chemicals are mixed as the module(s)  22  is slightly bent. The glass ampoule(s) is broken within the module(s)  22 , thereby causing a chemical reaction which is observed with the release of visible light. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 4-6  show additional embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment of the outermost blade  21  having an attachment apparatus  34  to which a module  22  may be coupled. The apparatus  34 , or a variation thereof, may be located on either end of the outermost blade  21 .  FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of the apparatus  34 . The apparatus  34  is part of the outermost blade  21  and comprises guides  36 , a clip  38  and, in some embodiments a circular aperture  42 . The guides  36  and the clip  38  hold the module  22  in place against (e.g., abutting or adjacent to) the outermost blade  21 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a pin  50  (e.g., composed of metal, plastic, wood) is inserted through the aperture  42 . All blades  20  preferably contain similar apertures  42 , and the pin  50  is likewise inserted through these apertures. In this way, by inserting the pin  50  through the apertures  42  of the blades  20 ,  21 , a hinged joint  40  is formed that couples together the blades  20 ,  21 . 
         [0021]    The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.