Abstract:
An elongated lighting strip is provided. The lighting strip is positioned inside of a shower or bathtub enclosure in order to both illuminate the enclosure as well as spray or diffuse and aqueous solution onto the enclosure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to elongated lighting strips and, in particular, to elongated lighting strips that spray, or diffuse, an aqueous solution. 
     For convenience, many people today perform multiple tasks, such as shaving, inside of a shower. However, many showers are dark areas, which provide a problem for those desiring to shave or perform other tasks inside of the shower. 
     Flexible lighting strips, also referred to as rope lights, are one aesthetically pleasing solution to this problem. Flexible lighting strips are commonly used to illuminate various areas and devices. However, conventional lighting strips perform no other function besides illuminating an area. A lighting strip inside of a shower, for example, should ideally be capable of performing other functions besides just illuminating the inside of the shower. Therefore, there is a need for lighting strips which perform additional functions besides merely illuminating an area. 
     Cleaning the inside of a bathtub or shower can be time consuming and laborious. As a result, there is a need for devices that either clean or assist in cleaning the inside of such an enclosure. Conventional devices used for this purpose are large and aesthetically unpleasing, adding clutter to showers already littered with various hygienic supplies. Therefore, there is a need for compact devices which not only clean, but perform other tasks, such as illuminate, the inside of a bathtub or shower. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These needs and other needs are satisfied by the present invention, which comprises a lighting apparatus comprising a lighting assembly for illuminating an area, the lighting assembly comprising a light source, and a liquid dispensing assembly for dispersing an aqueous solution in the area, the liquid dispensing assembly comprising a reservoir for storage of the aqueous solution and a dispenser for dispersing the aqueous solution. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the lighting apparatus comprises a light source, a reservoir for storage of an aqueous solution and a dispenser for dispersing the aqueous solution from the reservoir. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the lighting apparatus comprises a light source, a reservoir for storage of an aqueous solution and a dispenser comprising a nozzle and a pump, the pump being positioned to receive the aqueous solution from the reservoir and pump the aqueous solution through the nozzle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be explained in further detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front section view of a lighting strip according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a horizontal section view of the lighting strip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a horizontal section view of the lighting strip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is detailed view of the light source of the lighting strip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a horizontal section view of an alternative embodiment of a lighting strip according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a horizontal section view of an alternative embodiment of a lighting strip according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a vertical section view of the lighting strip of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the basic design and construction of a lighting strip  2  according to the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , lighting strip  2  comprises a lighting assembly  4 , a liquid dispensing assembly  6  and a power supply assembly  8 . Both the lighting assembly  4  and liquid dispensing assembly  6  perform separate functions, that is, to illuminate and clean, respectively, the area or enclosure in which lighting strip  2  is placed. Power supply assembly  8  supplies the power necessary to perform these functions. 
     The main purpose of lighting assembly  4  is to house light source  20 , which illuminates the area in which lighting strip  2  is placed. Therefore, lighting assembly  4  houses light source  20  inside lighting chamber  14 , which is a long narrow cavity, large enough to fit light source  20 . Light source  20  can be either removably or permanently installed inside of chamber  14 . Preferably, light source  20  is removably installed inside chamber  14 , so that it can be removed and replaced in the event that it is defective or ceases to produce light. Light source  20  can be removably installed using any adhesive or other method known in the art. 
     Light source  20  can be a variety of lighting systems. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are rectifying semiconductors that convert electrical energy into electromagnetic radiation. They are more energy efficient, more durable and longer lasting than conventional lighting systems. Therefore, light source  20  is preferably formed of LEDs.  FIG. 4  shows a preferred embodiment of an LED light strip  22 . LED light strip  22  includes a plurality of LEDs  24 , which are connected in series by electrical wires  26  fixed in a flexible nonconductive substrate  28 . The wires  26  are connected to power source  44  of power supply assembly  8 , which transfers the necessary power to illuminate LED light strip  22  or any other light source. 
     Besides illumination, lighting strip  2  may optionally perform the function of spraying or diffusing an aqueous solution into an area. This function is accomplished by liquid dispensing assembly  6 . Liquid dispensing assembly  6  comprises a reservoir  16 , which is filled with an aqueous solution  18 , such as a cleaning solution. Reservoir  16  is filled with solution  18  through fluid opening  30 , which is covered by removable cap  32 . Removable cap  32  must be removed from opening  30  in order to fill reservoir  16 . After reservoir  16  is filled, cap  32  seals opening  30  so that no other fluid may enter reservoir  16 . Since one intended use of lighting strip  2  is in a shower, cap  32  prevents water, for example, from entering reservoir  16  and diluting solution  18 . 
     Liquid dispensing assembly  6  further comprises at least one dispenser  34  for dispersing solution  18 .  FIGS. 1-2  show an embodiment in which dispenser  34  comprises a nozzle  36 , a pump  38  and a pump housing  40 . Pump  38  receives solution  18  from reservoir  16  and pumps the solution through at least one aperture  37  in nozzle  36 . Nozzle  36  is pivotally connected to pump housing  40  so that aperture  37  can rotate both horizontally and vertically. As a result, solution  18  can be sprayed uniformly over an area as nozzle  36  pivots in relation to pump housing  40 . 
     Like light source  20 , dispenser  34  may receive power from power source  44  of power supply assembly  8 . Power may not be necessary if dispenser  34  is a simple drip, for example, or any other non-electric method of dispersing an aqueous solution that is known in the art. However, power may be necessary if dispenser  34  requires the use of an electric pump to pump the solution  18  through nozzle  36 . If power is necessary, then each element requiring power must be connected to power source  44  of power supply assembly  8  by wires  42  (not shown). Since wires  42  cannot come into contact with aqueous solution  18 , wires  42  should run through the housing of liquid dispensing assembly  6  or through a flexible nonconductive substrate that cannot be permeated by any aqueous solution. 
     Power supply assembly  8  can be located at any convenient position along a lighting strip according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , power supply assembly  8  is located at a far end of lighting strip  2 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , power supply assembly  8  comprises a power source  44 , a removable latch  46 , a light activation button  48  and a spray activation button  50 . 
     Power source  44  can be any suitable power source known in the art that is capable of providing power to light source  20  and dispenser  34 , such as a DC battery. In some situations, power source  44  could take advantage of AC line power. However, since a primary use of lighting strip  2  is for showers and bathtubs, the use of any type of external power cord is discouraged. Preferably, power source  44  may be removable or replaceable, or alternatively, be permanent and rechargeable. Referring to  FIG. 3 , power source  44  is rechargeable battery  52 , which may be removed and recharged when low on power. Battery  52  is installed by opening removable latch  46 , which provides a watertight seal when closed. 
     Light activation button  48  and spray activation button  50  control whether power is distributed to light source  20  and dispenser  34 , respectively. Light activation button  48  turns light source  20  on and off, just as spray activation button  50  does with dispenser  34 . Preferably, spray activation button  50  should be programmed to delay activation of dispenser  34  for a few seconds after being pushed and to run dispenser  34  for only a set period of time. In the place of buttons, one may use any type of power switch which is known in the art to connect and disconnect an electric circuit. Alternatively, one may desire to eliminate the buttons completely and, for example, leave the light source on at all times. 
     The housing of lighting assembly  4 , liquid dispersing assembly  6  and power supply assembly  8  can be made of silicone or any suitable woven or non-woven composite, thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer or other material known in the art that cannot be permeated by water or any aqueous solution. Since the primary purpose of lighting assembly  4  is to house light source  20 , the housing of lighting assembly  4  should be made of a translucent material to allow the light from light source  20  to illuminate the area in which it is placed. It is also advantageous for the housing of liquid dispensing assembly  6  to be translucent, as this allows one to easily determine whether reservoir  16  contains an adequate amount of solution  18 . However, whether the housing of liquid dispensing assembly  6  must be translucent will depend on the relationship between liquid dispensing assembly  6  and lighting assembly  4 . If liquid dispensing assembly  6  does not inhibit the path of light coming from lighting assembly  4 , as in  FIG. 2 , then liquid dispensing assembly  6  need not be translucent. The material used to make the housing of both lighting assembly  4  and liquid dispensing assembly  6  should also preferably be flexible, and thus allow lighting strip  2  to be placed around curves and in various positions inside of a shower or other enclosure. 
     Lighting strip  2  is fastened to a wall with adhesive  12 . Adhesive  12  can be an adhesive tape or any other adhesive capable of securing a lighting strip to a wall. Since lighting strip  2  is intended for use in a shower, the adhesive used must be capable of adhering to a wall when contacted with water. 
     Although lighting strip  2  is one embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 5-7  show two alternative embodiments. Additionally, one of skill in the art will recognize several other embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , lighting strip  60  is shown attached to a wall by fastener  62 . Like the previous embodiment, lighting strip  60  comprises a lighting assembly  64 , a liquid dispensing assembly  66  and a power supply assembly (not shown). However, the positions of lighting assembly  64  and liquid dispensing assembly  66  relative to the wall have been reversed in comparison with lighting strip  2  of  FIGS. 1-3 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize several other configurations for the present invention which alternate the positions of the same basic elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , lighting strip  80  is shown attached to a wall by fastener  82 . Like the previous embodiments, lighting strip  80  comprises a lighting assembly  84 , a liquid dispensing assembly  86  and a power supply assembly (not shown). Liquid dispensing assembly  86  comprises a reservoir  88 , which is filled with an aqueous solution  90 . In this embodiment, aqueous solution  90  is an air freshener which diffuses through dispenser  92 , which comprises a series of vents  94 , shown in  FIG. 7 . Several air fresheners capable of diffusing from an aqueous solution are known in the art, and any of such could be used with the present invention. In some cases, diffusion of the solution  90  requires heat to be added to the solution. Therefore, dispenser  92  may further comprise at least one heating member  96  to diffuse solution  90 . In such a case, heating member  96  should be connected to and activated by the power source in the same way as dispenser  34  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Modifications in addition to those described above may be made to the structures and techniques described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting on the scope of the invention.