Patent ID: 12188817

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring first toFIG.1, a PAR sunlight exposure indicator device100is shown that includes a stake110(shown in more detail inFIG.6) inserted through the center-hole112of the sunlight-reactive planar member (shown in more detail inFIGS.2A-5E)120and a peel-off sticker130(shown in more detail inFIG.7) applied on top to secure the sunlight-reactive planar member120to the stake110. This device100may be sold and distributed in sunlight-blocking packaging so that it reacts to PAR sunlight only when removed from the packaging and placed out into an area that receives PAR sunlight. When the sunlight exposure indicator device100is fully assembled, and the stake is inserted into a particular spot in a garden or potential landscape area, the device100will begin reacting to PAR sunlight exposure and over the course of the daylight hours of one day, will react, and thus, visibly indicate the amount of hours and possibly the intensity of PAR sunlight that occurs in that specific spot in one day. Multiple devices100may be sold together in one package at a low cost so that a user can determine the hours and possibly intensity of PAR sunlight exposure in multiple spots/locations in their landscape area all in one day. The sunlight-reactive planar member120is for one-time use and is disposable.

The sunlight-reactive planar member120may use one or more types of an irreversible photochromic pigment with slow or delayed reaction-time to 400-700 nm wavelengths to visibly display total cumulative hours of PAR sunlight exposure on a substrate.FIGS.2A through5Eillustrate five different possible embodiments/variations to utilize irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigment technology to indicate accrued PAR sunlight exposure during a one-day period.

The sunlight-reactive planar member120include a substrate that may be made of a cover-stock paper, such as 80 or 100 LB, cut into an approximately 5″×5″ square (or possibly larger if need) with a small hole cut in the center. The hole112may be just large enough for the stake110to fit through. The cover-stock paper may be thick enough to stay level for the duration of one day when attached to the stake with the peel-off sticker. The paper is evenly or variably coated or impregnated with one or more types of an irreversible photochromic pigment and possible PAR-screening (solution) layers that cause the sunlight-reactive planar member120to turn to different colors or shades of one color depending on the number of PAR sunlight hours the paper is exposed to over the course of one full day. These new colors will not fade or revert back during times of shade or even after the sun exposure has stopped, enabling a user to retrieve the sunlight-reactive planar member120at the end of the day (e.g., after sundown) and see the accurate, permanent results of their test. The sunlight-reactive planar member120may also be coated with a suitable material to be water repellent so that it still works if it rains lightly or the paper is contacted by water from another source, such as a sprinkler.

The sunlight-reactive planar member120is also referred to herein simply as sunlight-reactive planar member120.

Single Irreversible Photochromic Pigment—FIGS.2A-2E

FIG.2Ashows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sunlight-reactive planar member120that employs a single type of an irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigment122applied evenly to a substrate124. This specially formulated pigment122first appears as one color (or white) prior to exposure to PAR sunlight and then slowly over the course of 12+ hours of PAR sunlight exposure changes evenly to different, distinct colors or different shades of one color depending on the time duration of cumulative PAR sunlight exposure the paper experiences. This pigment122is formulated to have delayed or slow photochromic reactions to the PAR sunlight exposure enabling it to very accurately and visually indicate the number of PAR sunlight exposure hours (or fractions thereof) in that area. A description of a possible manufacturing process and a list of possible compounds to derive the photochromic pigment are described in more detail below.

FIGS.2B-2Eshow the sunlight-reactive planar member120after different time durations of accrued sunlight exposure for the embodiment shown inFIG.2A. A key (shown inFIG.8) will be provided that explains the results in terms of the four, common plant industry categories of Full Shade, Partial Shade, Partial Sun and Full Sun. For example, the paper could be shades of very light grey if more than zero and up to 2 hours of PAR sunlight exposure occurs (FIG.2B) and the key would indicate that this shade of grey represents Full Shade. The paper could be shades of medium grey if 3 to 4 hours of PAR sunlight exposure occur (FIG.2C) and the key would indicate that this shade of grey represents Partial Shade. The paper could be shades of deep grey if 5 to 6 hours of PAR sunlight exposure occurs (FIG.2D) and the key would indicate that this shade of grey represents Partial Sun. Finally, the paper could be almost black if 7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure occurs (FIG.2E) and the key would indicate that this color represents Full Sun.

Single Irreversible Photochromic Pigment with PAR Screening—FIGS.3A-3E

FIG.3Ashows the cross-sectional view of the sunlight-reactive planar member120with a single irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigment122applied evenly to the substrate124and a PAR-screening solution or physical PAR-screening device (such as an optical filter)126in increasing strength levels is applied in a graduated manner on top of the pigment-coated/impregnated layer. This PAR-screening solution will affect the pigment's PAR sunlight reaction time. For example, no PAR-screening solution applied in a first strip (section)126A of the paper so in this first strip, the pigment-coated/impregnated paper will change colors if it receives any amount of PAR sunlight. A second strip126B of the sunlight-reactive planar member120will have a minimal strength PAR-screening solution applied to it. The screening solution will prevent that strip of the pigment-coated/impregnated paper from changing colors until after it has been exposed to PAR sunlight for 3 or more hours, at which point this strip will appear a distinctively different color as indicated on the key. A third strip126C of the paper will have a medium strength PAR-screening solution applied to it. This screening solution will prevent that third strip of the pigment-coated/impregnated paper from changing colors until after it has been exposed to PAR sunlight for 5 or more hours, at which point this strip will appear a distinctively different color as indicated on the key. A fourth strip126D of the paper will have the strongest strength PAR-screening solution applied to it. This screening solution will prevent the pigment-coated/impregnated paper from changing colors until it has been exposed to PAR sunlight for 7 or more hours, at which point this strip will appear a distinctively different color as indicated on the key. It should be understood different strengths of the strips126A-126D of the PAR screen layers may be achieved by different thicknesses of the same type of PAR screen material or by different types of PAR screen materials.

FIGS.3B-3Eillustrate the possible visible differences the sunlight-reactive paper may have depending on the amount of accrued PAR sunlight exposure for the embodiment shown inFIG.3A. For example, an area that receives no more than 2 hours of sunlight exposure would only have a visible color change in the first strip126A of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.3B); the rest of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Full Shade on the key. An area that receives between 3 and 4 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have visible color changes in the first and second strips126A and126B on the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.3C); the remaining half of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Partial Shade on the key. An area that receives between 5 and 6 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have visible color changes in the first, second and third strips126A,126B and126C of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.3D); the remaining quarter of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Partial Sun on the key. An area that receives 7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure would have visible color changes in all four strips126A,126B,126C and126D of the entire sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.3E). This test result would be represented as Full Sun on the key.

Four Different Photochromic Pigments—FIGS.4A-1,4A-2,4B-4E

FIG.4A-1shows a cross-sectional view of sunlight-reactive planar member120with four different types of irreversible, photochromic pigments applied e.g., pigments122A,122B,122C and122D, a different pigment for each strip of the paper. Each photochromic pigment is specially formulated to have different sunlight reaction speeds. Each pigment may have the same starting color or may have different starting colors prior to sunlight exposure. A first pigment122A applied on the first strip of the paper will have a moderately slow photochromic reaction time, resulting in a change of paper color if any PAR sunlight exposure occurs. A second pigment122B applied only to the second strip of the paper will be formulated to have a slower photochromic reaction time, resulting in a change of paper color in that strip only if 3 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure occurs. A third pigment122C applied only to the third strip of the paper will be formulated to have an even slower photochromic reaction time, resulting in a change of color in that strip only if 5 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure occur. A fourth pigment122D applied only to the fourth strip of the paper will be formulated to have the slowest photochromic reaction time, resulting in a change of color in that strip only if 7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure occurs.

FIG.4A-2shows a variation the sunlight-reactive planar member120may be coated in different sections or strips with different thicknesses (or different impregnation densities) of the same type of irreversible photochromic pigment. For example, a first section or strip is coated or impregnated with a first thickness of an irreversible photochromic pigment, as shown at123A, a second section or strip is coated with a second thickness, greater than the first thickness, (or a second impregnation density) of an irreversible photochromic pigment, as shown at123B, a third section or strip is coated or impregnated with a third thickness (or a third impregnation density), greater than the second thickness, of an irreversible photochromic pigment, as shown at123C, and a fourth section or strip is coated or impregnated with a fourth thickness (or a fourth impregnation density), greater than the third thickness, of an irreversible photochromic pigment, as shown at123D. The different sections or strips123A-123D may have different reactive times to PAR exposure. For example, the section or strip123A with a thinner coating/less dense impregnation of irreversible photochromic pigment may be more slowly reactive or more quickly reactive, depending on the type of irreversible photochromic pigment than the sections or strips123B-123D with progressively thicker coatings (or more dense impregnation) of irreversible photochromic pigment. That is, depending on the type of irreversible photochromic pigment, the reactivity to PAR exposure may be slower for a thinner layer or slower for a thicker layer.

FIGS.4B-4Eare illustrations of the possible visible differences the sunlight-reactive paper may have depending on the amount of accrued PAR sunlight exposure for the embodiments shown inFIGS.4A-1and4A-2. For example, an area receiving no more than 2 hours of sunlight exposure in a day would show color change in only a first strip (FIG.4B)127A; the rest of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Full Shade on the key. An area receiving between 3 and 4 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have visible color changes on first and second strips127A and127B of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.4C); the remaining half would have no changes. This test result would be represented as Partial Shade on the key. An area receiving between 5 to 6 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have color changes on the first, second and third strips127A,127B and127C of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.4D); the remaining quarter of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Partial Sun on the key. An area receiving 7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure would have visible color changes on the entire sunlight-reactive paper, across all four strips127A,127B,127C and127D (FIG.4E). The test result would be represented as Full Sun on the key.

Two Different Irreversible Photochromic Pigments with Screening—FIGS.5A-1,5A-2,5B-5E

FIGS.5A-1and5A-2shows the cross-sectional views of the sunlight-reactive planar member120with a combination of two different irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigments applied, in two possible variations (denoted Variation1and Variation2inFIGS.5A-1and5A-2), to the paper and then a sun PAR-screening solution or physical screening layer applied on top. This method uses two of the specially formulated pigments as described above in connection withFIGS.4A-4E, one pigment having a mildly slow photochromic reaction time and the other pigment having a much slower photochromic reaction time and then using screening methods, such as described above in connection withFIGS.3A-3E, to further delay the photochromic reaction times of the two pigments in order to achieve the visible color changes associated with Full Shade, Partial Shade, Partial Sun and Full Sun PAR sunlight exposure times.

The first variation (Variation1) shown inFIG.5A-1involves applying the two pigments122A and122C, alternatingly, on each strip of the paper and then applying the screening126just on top of the third and fourth strips/sections of the paper. The second variation (Variation2) shown inFIG.5A-2involves applying a pigment122A over the first two strips/sections of the paper with the screening solution126over the second strip and then applies a pigment122C to the third and fourth strips/sections with the screening126over the fourth strip.

FIGS.5B-5Eillustrate the possible visible differences the sunlight-reactive paper may have depending on the amount of accrued PAR sunlight exposure for the embodiment shown inFIG.5A. For example, an area receiving no more than 2 hours of sunlight exposure in a day would only have a visible color change in the first strip128A of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.5B); the rest of the sunlight-reactive planar member (strips128B,128C and128D) would have no change in color. The test result would be represented as Full Shade on the key. An area receiving between 3 and 4 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have visible color changes in the first and second strips128A and128B on the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.5C); the remaining half of the paper would have no change in color. The test result would be represented as Partial Shade on the key. An area receiving between 5 to 6 hours of PAR sunlight exposure but no more would have visible color changes in the first, second and third strips128A,128B and128C, respectively, of the sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.5D); the remaining quarter of the paper would have no change in color. This test result would be represented as Partial Sun on the key. An area receiving 7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure would have visible color changes on the entire sunlight-reactive paper (FIG.5E), across strips128A,128B,128C and128D. This test result would be represented as Full Sun on the key.

FIG.6illustrates the stake110used for holding the sunlight-reactive paper upright and securing it in a spot a few inches above the ground in a particular landscape area. The stake may be T-shaped and comprise a first section114that may be any suitable length, such as approximately 5″ long, and a second section116that is transverse/perpendicular to the first section114, and may be 1½″ wide across the top (¾″ from the center point). The stake110may be made of a light weight and low-cost material, such as a metal, plastic or composite material, sturdy enough to stand erect in soil for 14+ hours while supporting a small piece of paper. In operation, the stake110is inserted through the center-hole112in the sunlight-reactive planar member120(FIG.1) so that the second section116is on top of the sunlight-reactive planar member120. The sunlight-reactive planar member120is secured to the second section (the T-part)116of the stake110with the peel-off sticker130. The first section114of the stake110has enough length to push down into the soil and secure the device100in place while still holding the sunlight-reactive planar member120approximately 2-3″ above the soil so as to be sufficiently exposed to sunlight and to not become damp from the soil.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate the rectangular or oval, peel-off, one-sided sticker130. The sticker130serves as one example of a fastener that serves to fasten the planar member120to the stake110. The sticker130may be approximately 1¾″ in diameter or width.FIG.7Ashows the sticker130has a rectangular shape andFIG.7Bshows the sticker130has an oval shape, as examples. The sticker130may be sturdy enough to adhere the sunlight-reactive planar member120over the second section of the stake110for 14+ hours. After the stake110is inserted through the center-hole112of the sunlight-reactive planar member120with the second section (T-portion)116on top of the sunlight-reactive planar member120, the peel-off sticker130is placed directly on top of the second section116of the stake110and also onto the sunlight-reactive planar member120securing the sunlight-reactive planar member120to the stake110, essentially holding the sunlight-reactive planar member120to the top of the stake110. This will keep the sunlight-reactive planar member120in place and level while the stake110is installed in the ground. The sticker130may or may not be coated or impregnated with any irreversible photochromic pigment.

FIG.8illustrates an example of the PAR sunlight interpretation key200. This PAR sunlight interpretation key200, which will be printed on a piece of paper, will be used to interpret the measurement results from the sunlight-reactive planar member120. This key200will contain a chart of colors which match the colors that appear on the sunlight-reactive paper prior to and after exposure to PAR sunlight over increasing hours. After placing the fully assembled PAR sunlight exposure indicator device in a particular landscape spot all day, the sunlight-reactive paper will display a certain color or colors. The user will hold the exposed PAR sunlight-reactive paper up to the interpretation key and match up the color results. Adjacent to each color on the key will be a list of the total accrued number of hours of PAR sunlight indicated by that color. The PAR sunlight interpretation key200will then explain how the number of hours of sunlight exposure corresponds with the plant industry common designations of Full Shade, Partial Shade, Partial Sun and Full Sun.Full Shade-0 to 2 hours of PAR sunlight exposure either direct or filteredPartial Shade-3 to 4 hours of PAR sunlight exposurePartial Sun-5 to 6 hours of PAR sunlight exposureFull Sun-7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure
Note that this device may be configured to present a variation of the PAR exposure test results, such that it shows three category designations of results (hours of accrued PAR exposure) per a variation on the plant industry common designations of Full Shade, Partial Shade/Partial Sun, and Full Sun, as defined below:Full Shade-0 to 3 hours of PAR sunlight exposure either direct or filteredPartial Shade/Partial Sun-3 to 7 hours of PAR sunlight exposureFull Sun-7 or more hours of PAR sunlight exposure

Manufacturing Process

The sunlight-reactive planar member120for the device100may be produced by printing photochromic pigment(s) on a sheet of paper which is then cut down into individual components, keeping the cost per unit lower. The precise amount and thickness of the irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigment(s) to be applied to the paper may be determined through trial and error testing. The precise amount, thickness, and strength of the possible PAR-screening solution (used in certain embodiments described above) and the method for applying it on top of the pigment may be determined through trial and error testing. The irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigments may be derived from or contain any suitable one or more types of photochromic dyes which, when implemented for use with the indicator device are capable of performing in a manner as described herein. Some examples of irreversible photochromic dyes include, without limitation, diarylethene compounds, Spiropyran compounds, azobenzene compounds, fulgide compounds, and quinone compounds; as well as inorganic compounds such as certain silver and zinc halides (e.g., silver chloride), or tungsten oxide or other oxide compounds; or coordination complexes such as sodium nitroprus side and the ruthenium sulfoxide. The precise formulation may be determined through trial and error testing. The possible sun-screening solution may contain agents such as titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, zinc oxide, iron oxide, calamine, ichthammol, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, bemotrizinol, avobenzone, bisoctizole, benzophenone-3, ecamsule, and silatriazole. The precise formulation will be determined through trial and error testing.

Applications of the Device

The sunlight indicator device100is useful for commercial and residential users. Related commercial businesses such as nurseries, hardware stores, landscape companies or large scale yard and landscape product distributers might sell or use this product. Plant nurseries, commercial retailers which sell plants and landscape installers often guarantee the plants they install or sell on good faith that the installer has accurately determined sunlight exposure. These companies could suggest their customers use this sunlight exposure indicator device100in order to receive a full guarantee. Landscaping companies could utilize these devices on a client site as an aid in selecting the plants for the client. Residential users could use this device in numerous locations on the property around their home to determine, for example, where to locate a vegetable garden, what type of annual flowers will do best near the front door, whether full shade shrubs are appropriate on the north side of the house, whether the north side of the house gets enough morning and afternoon sun to select partial shade or even partial sun shrubs. Residential users or landscapers can also use this device to determine the best type of grass sod or seed to use in a yard. This device100could even be used inside a home for selecting the proper house plant for a particular spot in the home. These are just some of the examples of uses of this device.

In summary, in one form, an apparatus is provided comprising: a stake member having a first section and a second section that is transverse to the first section; a sunlight-reactive planar member having a hole therein configured to accept the first section of the stake, wherein the sunlight-reactive planar member comprises a substrate coated or impregnated with a layer of at least one type of an irreversible photochromic pigment that is reactive to exposure to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and changes to different colors or shades of a color over different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR; and a sticker or other attachable securing device configured to fit on top of the sunlight-reactive planar member over the hole and over the second section of the stake to be secured on top of the sunlight-reactive planar member to the stake. The substrate of the sunlight-reactive planar member may be made of a paper material. The apparatus may father comprise a water repellent coating on the sunlight-reactive planar member. In one form, the irreversible photochromic pigment is reactive to PAR, the visible light spectrum of 400 nm-700 nm.

In one form, the layer of the irreversible photochromic pigment is a single type of irreversible photochromic pigment. In this case, substrate comprises a plurality of sections of the to which a corresponding different strength PAR-screening layer is disposed over the layer of the irreversible photochromic pigment such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR. In a variation, the substrate comprises a plurality of sections to which a PAR-screening coating of corresponding different thicknesses is disposed over the layer of irreversible photochromic pigment such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR.

In another form, the substrate comprises a plurality of sections of the substrate to which an irreversible photochromic pigment of corresponding different thicknesses is disposed or impregnated such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR. The apparatus may comprise a PAR-screening layer disposed over one or more of the plurality of sections such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR.

In still another form, the substrate comprises a plurality of sections of the substrate which are coated with at least two corresponding different types of irreversible photochromic pigments such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR. In this case, the apparatus may comprise a PAR-screening layer disposed over one or more of the plurality of sections such that the plurality of sections have different reactivity to different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR.

In one form, the different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR correspond to common plant industry categories of Full Shade, Partial Shade, Partial Sun and Full Sun, or Full Shade, Partial Shade/Partial Sun, and Full Sun.

In yet another form, an apparatus is provided comprising: a planar member comprising a substrate coated or impregnated with a layer of at least one type of an irreversible photochromic pigment that is reactive to exposure to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and changes to different colors or shades of a color over different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR; and a mounting device configured to affix to the planar member and be inserted into the ground to hold the planar member above a ground.

In still another form, an apparatus is provided comprising: a stake having a first section and a second section that is transverse to the first section; a sunlight-reactive planar member comprising a substrate coated or impregnated with a layer of at least one type of an irreversible photochromic pigment that is reactive to exposure to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and changes to different colors or shades of a color over different ranges of cumulative hours of exposure to PAR; and a fastener configured to secure the stake to the sunlight-reactive planar member.

The above description is intended by way of example only. Although the techniques are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.