Photoluminescent sleeve for electric lamps for producing a non-electrical light emitting source

A lamp comprising:

• a sleeve, made of a translucent material, fitting over at least a portion of said lamp;
• a photoluminescent pigment being contained in or on said sleeve;
• said photoluminescent pigment storing visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation from said lamp during illumination without requiring the presence of an external light source;
• said photoluminescent pigment releasing stored visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation during a period when said lamp is not illuminated.

A fluorescent lamp comprising:

• a sleeve, made of a translucent thermoplastic material, fitting over said lamp;
• a photoluminescent pigment being contained in or on said sleeve;
• said photoluminescent pigment storing visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation from said fluorescent lamp during illumination without requiring the presence of an external light source;
• said photoluminescent pigment releasing stored visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation during a period when said fluorescent lamp is not illuminated;
• an end cap for securing said sleeve onto said fluorescent lamp, said end cap having an aperture therethrough to pass through electrical connectors of said fluorescent lamp;
• a space between said sleeve and said fluorescent lamp;
• and
• said sleeve transmitting at least 60% of said visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by said lamp during illumination.

A lamp comprising:

• storing means for storing radiant energy from said lamp when said lamp is electrically illuminated, said storing means including a sleeve fitting over said lamp;
• and
• securing means for positioning said sleeve near said lamp;
• wherein light emitted from said lamp when said lamp is electrically illuminated travels unobstructed from said lamp to said storing means.

A sleeve capable of fitting over at least a portion of a lamp comprising:

• a photoluminescent pigment being contained in or attached to a surface of said sleeve;
• said photoluminescent pigment storing radiant energy from said lamp during illumination;
• and
• said photoluminescent pigment releasing said stored radiant energy during a period when said lamp is not illuminated.

A method for providing emergency lighting, comprising:

• combining a thermoplastic translucent material with a photoluminescent pigment;
• fitting said thermoplastic translucent material over at least a portion of a lamp;
• storing visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation in said thermoplastic translucent material from said lamp during illumination without requiring the presence of an external light source;
• and
• releasing stored visible light or invisible electromagnetic radiation during a period requiring emergency lighting.