GB2360246A

GB2360246A - Film to enable easy cleaning of electrical light fittings

Info

Publication number: GB2360246A
Application number: GB0005966A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Alan Glasson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-14
Filing date: 2000-03-14
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Also published as: GB0005966D0

Abstract

A single layer or an assembly of several layers (4, 5, 6) of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film or other suitable material, which is fitted to an electrical light fitting to facilitate an alternative method of cleaning the fitting. The layer or layers of film are manufactured in such a way they can be successively peeled by means of tabs (1, 2, 3) from the light emitting or reflective surfaces of an electrical light fitting, therefore, in one operation, effectively removing the grime (7) from the fitting which had accumulated there. Fitting include floodlight type fittings (figure 4 and 5), reflector type fluorescent fittings (figure 6) and street light fittings (figure 7).

Description

2360246 Eay-Clean Fitting.

For descriptive purposes a fluorescent fitting is used as an example.

Fluorescent Fittings, especially those used in industry, are subjected to a multitude of corrosive air borne conditions. The conditions include, dust, metal particles, steam, chemical vapours, paint spray, oil droplets etc. This corrosive invasion affects the fluorescent fitting in a fundamental way, it covers the light emitting and reflective surfaces of the fluorescent fitting with a film of grime, be it dust, metal, steam, chemical or oil based. This grime on the fluorescent fitting impairs its efficiency, light output from the fitting is dramatically reduced, leading to unsafe working conditions, a waste of energy and inefficiency in the work place. Fluorescent fittings are notoniously difficult to clean, surfaces become pitted and discoloured, many fittings are sited, because of the application, in inaccessible locations making them difficult and unsafe to work upon.

The need is for a quick, safe, and sure method of removing from the light emitting and reflective surfaces of the fitting, the accumulation of corrosive grime. Ideally the fitting needs to be cleaned in situ without the messy business of trying to clean the fitting using a detergent and water.

According to the present invention there is provided a tear off strip, in one or several layers, which comprises, singly, a thin plastic transparent or translucent film, or other suitable material. The layer or layers of film are manufactured in such a way they can be successively peeled from the fluorescent fitting therefore effectively removing the grime from the fitting in one operation, thus allowing the fitting to operate efficiently.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: - Figures. 1,2 and 3 is an example of a three layer assembly of plastic film.

Figure 1 shows the layers in their original assembled configurationFigure 2 is an enlarged section of Fig. 1 which shows tabs attached to the individual plastic film layers.

Figure 3 shows the three layers in section.

Figure 4 shows typical rectangular type floodlight type fitting.

Figure 5 shows typical circular type floodlight type fitting.

Figure 6 shows a reflector type fluorescent fitting.

Figure 7 shows one example of a street lighting fitting.

2 Refeming to the drawing the single or successive layers of plastic film are peeled from the electrical light fitting, typical examples shown in figures 1-7, to effectively remove all grime from the light emitting or light reflective surface of the electrical light fitting.

Tabs are fitted to the individual layers of plastic film to provide the means by which each individual layer of plastic film is grasped and peeled from the preceding layer of film or the surface of the fitting as the case maybe.

In Fig. 2 the method of operation is such that when the surface of the plastic film is contaminated with grime 7 the plastic film maybe peeled ftom the surface of the preceding layer of plastic film or surface of the fitting as the case maybe by grasping the tab 1 and peeling away the contaminated film until completely detached.

Once the final layer of film has been removed, the fitting, after a build up of grime on the light emitting or reflective surface of the fitting maybe cleaned and new assembly of plastic films fitted.

An assembly of layers Fig. 1 is fitted to a twin fluorescent fitting by means of selfadhesion, suction, mechanical, chemical, corrugation or other such means and manufactured W'th tabs to effect their removal as required.

Fig. 3 shows a section of plastic film layers fitted to an enclosed type twin fluorescent fitting to illustrate the layer on layer principle.

Figs. 4-7 depict various types of electrical light fitting to which the invention maybe manufactured as an integral component of the fitting or secured to a fitting already in use. The invention is not however confined to these fittings alone but can be manufactured as a component part of any electrical light fitting or fitted to any existing light fitting as required.

3

Claims

1. A single layer of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film, or other suitable material which is fitted with a tab to facilitate it's removal from the electrical light fitting to which it is fitted.

2. An assembly of several layers of a thin plastic transparent or translucent films or other suitable material, which are manufactured with tabs to facilitate their removal separately ftom the electrical light fitting to which they are fitted.

3. A single layer or an assembly of several layers of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film or other suitable material, as claimed in claim 1 and 2, which are manufactured with tabs, or any other means, to facilitate their removal from the electrical light fitting to which they are fitted.

4. A single layer or an assembly of several layers of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film or other suitable material, as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3, fitted to previously installed or existing electrical light fittings.

5. A single layer or an assembly of several layers of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film or other suitable material, as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3 which are manufactured as component parts of new electrical light fittings.

6. A single layer or an assembly of several layers of a thin plastic transparent or translucent film or other suitable material, as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3 which are secured to the fitting by means self adhesion, suction, mechanical, chemical, corrugation or other such means.