Apparatus and method for producing a transparent tubular member containing a phosphorescent material
AssigneeGlobal Products Sales and Marketing, L.L.C.
InventorsBradford K. Mortz, Robert H. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transparent tubular member containing a phosphorescent material providing a degree of persistent illumination. The tubular member includes a first end and a second end, an outer diameter and an inner diameter establishing between the outer diameter a selected thickness. A volume of the phosphorescent material is encapsulated within the elongate tubular member and is responsive to an irradiating light source to charge the phosphorescent material to a desired degree of luminescence and so that the tubular member emits the luminescence of the phosphorescent material over a period of time.
Claims12
A transparent tubular member containing a phosphorescent material, comprising:
- an elongate tubular material having a first end and a second end, an outer diameter, an inner diameter establishing between said outer diameter a selected thickness, and an internally open core, said elongate tubular material exhibiting a specified degree of flexibility and comprising a vinyl composition;
- a volume of a persistent phosphorescent material encapsulated within said elongate tubular member, said phosphorescent material being intermixed with said vinyl composition prior to formation of said tubular member;
- and
- said elongate tubular member further comprising a first extrusion of a transparent tubing over which is co-extruded said phosphorescent mixed tubular member, a further extrusion of a transparent tubing being co-extruded over said phosphorescent mixed tubular member.
A method of constructing a tubular member containing a phosphorescent material comprising the steps of:
- extruding at least one transparent tubular member selected from a group of materials including plastic, plasticized resins and vinyl;
- encapsulating a volume of a phosphorescent material within said extruded tubular material such that said material emits a prolonged degree of luminescence following a period of exposure to an irradiating light source;
- placing a plurality of light emitting diodes at specified distance intervals between first and second ends of tubular member;
- connecting said diodes to a power supply;
- and
- iteratively flashing said diodes to recharge a level of luminescence of said phosphorescent material within said tubular member.
A transparent tubular member containing a phosphorescent material, comprising:
- an elongate tubular material having a first end and a second end, an outer diameter, an inner diameter establishing between said outer diameter a selected thickness, and an internally open core, said elongate tubular material exhibiting a specified degree of flexibility;
- a volume of a persistent phosphorescent material encapsulated within said elongate tubular member;
- and
- first and second electrical lines extending through said open core, a plurality of light emitting diodes being placed at specified distance intervals between said first end and said second end of said tubular member and in operative communication with said electrical lines, said electrical lines connecting to a power supply and providing iterative flashing of said diodes to recharge said phosphorescent material to a desired level of luminescence.
A transparent tubular member containing a phosphorescent material, comprising:
- an elongate tubular material having a first end and a second end, an outer diameter, an inner diameter establishing between said outer diameter a selected thickness, and an internally open core, said elongate tubular material exhibiting a specified degree of flexibility;
- a volume of a persistent phosphorescent material encapsulated within said elongate tubular member;
- and
- said elongate tubular member further comprising a first cross sectional half and a second cross sectional half, said first half including said encapsulated phosphorescent material, an elongate reflector element being mounted within a semi-cylindrical open core defined by said elongate extending first cross sectional half, said second cross sectional half being subsequently secured to said first cross sectional half.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.