Abstract A light source particularly adapted to provide emergency lighting and having an extremely long standby life is disclosed. The light source comprises a compartmentalized plastic tube having a light bulb in one compartment, a pair of electrodes in another compartment and an electrolyte in a third compartment. The electrolyte compartment houses an electrolyte which is stored in a frangible envelope. The plastic material which forms the first two compartments is stiff or rigid; while the plastic material surrounding the electrolyte compartment is flexible. To actuate the light source one squeezes or otherwise puts pressure on the flexible portion of the plastic tube to fracture the frangible envelope, thereby permitting the electrolyte to flow from its container and saturate the electrodes. The light bulb compartment is isolated from the electrode compartment to prevent the flow of electrolyte into the light bulb compartment. Further, the light bulb compartment may be detachable. In order to prevent accidental fracture of the electrolyte envelope, the flexible portion of the plastic tube may be covered by a removable thin metallic or plastic shroud.
A light source comprising: a. an electrically non-conductive compartmentalized container having first, second and third longitudinally aligned compartments, said container being rigid in the area of said first and second compartments and flexible in the area of said third compartment, said container in the area of said third compartment being of such flexibility that the wall structure in the area of said third compartment can be collapsed inwardly by fingertip squeezing; b. a light bulb located in said first compartment, said first compartment forming one end of said container and being transparent at least at its extremity; c. an anode electrode and cathode electrode located within said second compartment of said container; d. means to directly connect said anode and cathode electrodes to said light bulb; e. frangible envelope containing electrolyte located within said third compartment of said container, said third compartment forming the other end of said container and said frangible envelope being constructed of such material that it will break to release the electrolyte contained therein to thereby energize said light bulb by said fingertip squeezing of said container in the area of said third compartment; and f. a removable rigid protective sheath covering at least the flexible third compartment area of said container to prevent accidental breakage of said frangible envelope, said protective sheath being removed before said container in the area of said third compartment is squeezed to energize said light bulb.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A light source comprising: a. an electrically non-conductive compartmentalized container having first, second and third longitudinally aligned compartments, said container being rigid in the area of said first and second compartments and flexible in the area of said third compartment, said container in the area of said third compartment being of such flexibility that the wall structure in the area of said third compartment can be collapsed inwardly by fingertip squeezing; b. a light bulb located in said first compartment, said first compartment forming one end of said container and being transparent at least at its extremity; c. an anode electrode and cathode electrode located within said second compartment of said container; d. means to directly connect said anode and cathode electrodes to said light bulb; e. frangible envelope containing electrolyte located within said third compartment of said container, said third compartment forming the other end of said container and said frangible envelope being constructed of such material that it will break to release the electrolyte contained therein to thereby energize said light bulb by said fingertip squeezing of said container in the area of said third compartment; and f. a removable rigid protective sheath covering at least the flexible third compartment area of said container to prevent accidental breakage of said frangible envelope, said protective sheath being removed before said container in the area of said third compartment is squeezed to energize said light bulb.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A light source as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is of such size that a plurality of said light sources, each provided with said protective sheath, can be stored in a container of substantially the same size as a cigarette package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A light source as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is of such size that a plurality of said light sources, each provided with said protective sheath, can be stored in a cover similar in size and design to a paper matchbook cover.