Abstract:
A small, portable tabletop type burning apparatus for burning an aroma producing combustible material in a manner to produce soothing plumes of smoke for inhalation by the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to small, portable tabletop devices for burning combustible materials. More particularly, the invention concerns a compact burning apparatus for burning an aroma producing combustible material in a manner to produce soothing plumes of smoke for inhalation by the user.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     For hundreds of years, various cultures have controllably burned numerous types of combustible materials, such as certain seeds and crystalline materials, to produce soothing aromas that relieve stress and anxiety. By way of example, Persian cultures have for centuries controllably burned espand seeds and condor crystals in various manners, such as by heating the materials with burning charcoal. As these materials slowly burn they will emit an aromatic smoke that has a pleasant and soothing fragrance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact, easy to use, attractive apparatus for controllably burning aroma producing combustible materials. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide such an apparatus in which a candle is used as a source of heat to controllably burn the combustible materials while at the same time providing a pleasant candlelight environment.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which the combustible material to be burned is contained within a generally cup-shaped, perforated component that is supported over the candle by an attractive support housing.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in the preceding paragraphs, which is of a simple elegant construction, which can be easily cleaned after each use.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is to provide an easily portable, light weight, tabletop type burning device that is safe and reliable in operation.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs, which can be inexpensively manufactured.  
         [0010]     By way of brief summary, one form of the apparatus of the invention for burning an aroma producing, combustible material comprises a housing having a base; an upper supporting surface disposed within a generally horizontal plane; and an internal chamber substantially open to atmosphere. A perforated, material supporting member is carried by the upper supporting surface of the housing for containing the combustible material, and a candle is disposed within the internal chamber for heating the combustible material to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause combustion of the material. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective view of one form of the apparatus of the invention for burning aroma producing combustible materials.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the form of the apparatus of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Referring to the drawings, one form of the apparatus for burning an aroma producing, combustible material “M” is there shown and generally designated by  14 . As previously mentioned, the material “M” (see  FIG. 2 ) can comprise combustible seeds, such as “rose” espand, crystals, such as condor crystals, and a variety of other combustible materials, which, upon combustion, emit pleasant aromas.  
         [0014]     In the present form of the invention the apparatus comprises a housing  16  having a base  18 , an upper supporting surface that is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane  21  and an internal chamber  22  that is substantially open to atmosphere ( FIG. 2 ). As best seen in  FIG. 2 , housing  16  is formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting columns  24  and a plurality of vertically spaced apart, generally ring-shaped chamber defining components  26  that are connected to the supporting columns  24  by any suitable means such as soldering or brazing. As indicated in  FIG. 2 , upper extremities  24   a  of supporting columns  24  reside within the plane  21 . Columns  24  and rings  26  can be constructed from various materials, including metals and numerous fire resistant composite materials of a character well known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0015]     Carried by upper extremities  24   a  of supporting columns  24  is a novel, material supporting assembly  30  for supporting the combustible material “M”. Assembly  30  here comprises an upper, generally ring-shaped component  32  and a generally cup-shaped, perforated component  34  that is connected to and depends from ring-shaped component  32 . Cup-shaped, perforated component  34  depends downwardly into internal chamber  22  and has the general configuration of a conventional, metal tea strainer. As indicated in the drawings, the periphery  32   a  of component  32  extends radially outwardly from the supporting columns  24  so that the material supporting assembly  30  can be easily lifted from the housing  16  by grasping the periphery of the ring-shaped component.  
         [0016]     Disposed within internal chamber  22  of housing  16  is a flame producing means, shown here as a candle  35 , which can be used to heat the combustible material “M” that is contained within perforated component  34  to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause the slow combustion of the material. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , a candle positioning means, shown here as a generally ring-shaped positioning component  38 , is carried centrally of base  18  of housing  16 . Positioning component  38  is strategically located in order to position the wick  39  of candle  35  in close proximity with the bottom of perforated component  34  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Positioning component  38  can be constructed of several types of fire resistant materials, including various metals.  
         [0017]     In using the apparatus of the invention, the combustible material “M” is first placed within the generally cup-shaped perforated component  34 . With a candle  35  positioned within positioning component  38 , the material supporting assembly  30  is mated with housing  16  so that the upper extremities  24   a  of the supporting columns  24  engage and support the lower surface of the ring-shaped component  32  of the material supporting assembly. With the components assembled in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 , the candle  35  can be lit to commence the heating of the material “M” contained within the perforated component  32 . As the material is heated by the candle it will slowly burn and emit plumes of aromatic smoke for a soothing inhalation by the user.  
         [0018]     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.