# US 6,719,600 B2 · Method for making mercury capsule for use in fluorescent lamp

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- Number: US 6,719,600 B2
- Document ID: US6719600B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/309,965
- Filed: 2002-12-04
- Published: 2003-05-01
- Granted: 2004-04-13
- Earliest claimed: 2000-03-24
- Assignees: Osram Sylvania Inc.
- Inventors: Mark W. Grossman; William A. George; William J. Roche
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6719600B2

## CPC

- H01J 61/28: Means for producing, introducing, or replenishing gas or vapour during operation of the lamp
- H01J 61/20: mercury vapour
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)

## Abstract

A mercury capsule for use in a fluorescent lamp comprises a shell defining a chamber and a bore extending through the shell. A body of mercury is disposed in the chamber. A plug is disposed in the bore to seal the bore. The plug exhibits a melting point reached in manufacture of the fluorescent lamp, to melt from the bore to open an exit passageway for the mercury. A method for making the capsule is provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for making a mercury capsule for use in a fluorescent lamp, the method comprising the steps of:
forming a metal shell for receiving a body of mercury;
forming a bore in the shell;
closing the bore with a molten metal and permitting the molten metal to solidify to form a plug in the bore, the plug having a melting point less than a melting point of said shell otherwise;
depositing a body of mercury in the shell;
sealing the shell closed with the body of mercury therein; and
heating the plug to melt the plug from the bore to open an exit passageway for the mercury.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the molten metal comprises an alloy of zinc and aluminum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deposited body of mercury comprises about 5 mg of mercury.

### Claim 4

A method for making a mercury capsule for use in a fluorescent lamp, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a metal ribbon comprising:
a first portion having a depression formed in a first surface thereof;
a second portion having a protrusion formed on a surface thereof; and
a bendable portion interconnecting said first and second portions to facilitate movement of said second portion to a position wherein the protrusion overlies the depression, and further movement to place the protrusion in sealing engagement with the depression to define a chamber for containing the mercury;
drilling a bore through a wall of the depression;
coating a second surface of said first portion of the metal ribbon with a flux;
providing a pool of molten metal;
dipping said first portion of the metal ribbon in the pool of molten metal and allowing the molten metal on the ribbon to solidify to close the bore with metal;
depositing a selected amount of mercury in the depression; and
effecting the sealing engagement of the depression and the protrusion to close the chamber with the mercury therein.