Patent Publication Number: US-2015070874-A1

Title: Flameless fragrance warming apparatus and methods

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to flameless fragrance warming apparatus, and related methods, for emitting fragrance or aroma and, more particular, to novel flameless warming apparatus, and related methods, which, without combustion, release aroma from a flameless candle, wax particles or oil into the ambient surroundings from a relatively low elevating, while also providing illumination which visually simulates a flickering flame eliminating from a relatively high elevation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In large measure, the burning of candles to emit an aroma or fragrance into the air within a home or other building has been replaced by flamelessly melting of a candle composition with an electrically powered heating element to release the aroma or by placing fragrance-containing wax chips or particles or oil in a flat bottom open top container with the bottom wall of the container disposed on an electrically-powered flat heating element. However, flameless release of aroma per se in the past failed to realistically simulate the flame of a burning candle. Thus, the prior does not substantially replicate the visual imagery of a candle flame, including a visual flicker. Typically, the heating element is positioned above or at the same elevation as the illumination source, which tends to obscure the light issuing from the source and makes flicker, when used, unrealistic, compared to the light from a burning candle. This includes embodiments where the heat and the light source or sources are at essentially the same elevation. 
     Also, replacement of burned out light source or sources is difficult because the light socket or sockets are concealed and not readily accessible. Rapid heat deterioration of the electrical circuit, the light sources and other components occurs and there is no provision by which the light source or sources, the electrical socket or sockets are cool during use to extend their length of service. Containment of the heat source and the light source within the main housing of prior art warmers retains both sources at a high temperature during use, with no provision by which cooling is allowed to take place. 
     Provision of flameless fragrance-emitting warming devices, and related methods, which address and resolve the problems mentioned above would be highly advantageous. The present invention does so. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In brief summary, the present invention provides warming apparatus by which aroma is released without combustion, and related methods, which can be used safely, free of combustion and related pollution, in either of two ways to release fragrance from a scented candle material or scented wax chips placed in a container or heating oil containing a fragrance, while at the same time, in a flameless context, providing authentic visual imagery of a simulated candle flame, wherein: (1) the heating source is substantially remotely spaced from and well below a pinnacle-mounted or tower-mounted light source; (2) the light source is air cooled outside the main housing, (3) flickering light is transmitted to the user through a spaced surrounding translucent chimney, which is removable to aid in light source replacement; (4) heat deterioration is material reduced; and (5) the fragrance-emitting material is well below the light source and in efficient communication with the heat source. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide improved candle and chip melting, oil heating and fragrance-emitting apparatus and methods, which also flamelessly simulates, in a very realistic way, the flicker of a burning candle. 
     It is a further paramount object to provide novel apparatus, and related methods, by which scented wax or chips are melted or scented oil warmed to emit a desirable fragrance or aroma and also provide illumination realistically simulating or replicating the burning of a candle, having one or more of the following characteristics: (1) the heat source is substantially remotely spaced from and well below a pinnacle-mounted or tower-mounted light source; (2) the light source is air cooled outside the main housing (3) flickering light is transmitted to the user through a spaced surrounding translucent chimney, which is removable to aid in light source replacement; (4) heat deterioration is material reduced and (5) the fragrance-emitting material is well below the light source and in efficient communication with the heat source. 
     This and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of one presently preferred apparatus for practicing the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective, partially in cross section, of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , the apparatus being used to flamelessly emit fragrance and simultaneously visually issue a flicker of light from an elevated site, which authentically simulates a burning candle; 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical cross section through the housing of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary cross section of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of a presently circuit for causing one or more light sources, located at the top of an exposed pedestal, to flicker. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made specifically to the drawings, wherein presently preferred apparatus embodiments are disclosed. Reference is made to  FIGS. 1-3 , which concerns a presently preferred apparatus, generally designated  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises an annually-removable translucent chimney, generally designated  12 , comprising a uniformly cylindrical wall  14 , having a hollow interior with an upper edge  18 , through which aroma or fragrance is emitted in a manner hereinafter more fully described. The chimney  12  further comprises a lower end  20 , defining an annular lower edge  22  ( FIG. 2 ), which rests by force of gravity upon a flat support surface, hereinafter more fully described. The chimney  12  may be formed of glass, synthetic resinous material or any other suitable material. 
     The apparatus  10  further comprises a surface-engaging lower base, generally designated  24 . The base  24  may comprise an exterior decorative exposed surface of a tapered side wall  26 . The side wall  26  terminates in an annular surface-engaging foot  28 . The base  24  comprises a top lip  30  disposed at the upper end of the side wall  26 . The lip  30  integrally merges with a horizontal shoulder or shelf  32 , upon which the lower edge  22  of the chimney  12  rests, when the apparatus is fully assembled in its usable state. 
     The base  24  is interiorly hollow and comprises an annular internal ring or shoulder  34 , which is radially inwardly directed and defines a central, relatively large circular opening at  36 .  FIG. 3 . 
     Integral with the base  24  is structure which defines a reservoir, generally designated  38  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Reservoir  38  is confined by an upwardly directed but somewhat inwardly tapered side wall  40 , the lower end of which, at annular shoulder or corner  42 , merges with shoulder  32 , extending upwardly to an elevated ring or annular lip  44 . 
     A downwardly directed U-shaped wall  50 , annular in configuration, connects with lip  44  and extends inwardly. The wall  50  to help define a donut-shaped reservoir  52 , in which a fragrance emitting material, such as candle material wax particles or aroma-releasing oil  52  is placed. 
     The interior of the reservoir  52  is further defined by an upwardly tapered frusto-conical pedestal, pinnacle or tower, generally designated  60 . The pedestal  60  comprises a vertically tapered but horizontally curvilinear wall  62 , which extends a substantial distance upward so that the top edge  64  thereof is at an elevation much higher than the elevation of the reservoir  52 . Thus, the top of the pedestal  60  is remote from the reservoir  52 . The top edge  64  of the pedestal  62  defines a small diameter opening  66 . 
     While the base, the base-reservoir defining structure and the pedestal are shown as comprising a single one-piece structure, the present invention embraces forming such structure as two or more pieces. While the housing  24 , the structure defining reservoir  52  and the pedestal  60  may be formed of ceramic material, as shown in the drawings, other suitable material may be utilized, all to the end that the upper end of the pedestal is open to and cooled by ambient air and remotely disposed from the fragrance material in the reservoir  52  for purposes yet to be explained in greater detail. While the reservoir  52  is at a first lower elevation and the upper edge  64  of the pedestal  60  is at a second much higher elevation, so as to resemble somewhat the appearance of a lighthouse, the upper edge  18  of the chimney  12  is at still a higher third elevation. Thus, the chimney  12  conceals from direct view the upper edge  64  of the pedestal  60 , when the apparatus is assembled as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The integrated base  24 , the structure defining the reservoir  52  and the pedestal  60  are collectively referred to herein as a housing, which is generally designated  70 . The housing  70  is hollow in its interior to accommodate placement of wiring for powering one or more heating elements and to power the flickering lights, as described later in greater detail. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , one or more sources of illumination  72  are disposed in electrical sockets so as to be exposed slightly above the upper end  64  of the pedestal  60 , remote from the fragrance emitting material in reservoir  52 . Thus, the heat from the heaters of the apparatus  10  has no deleterious effect on the lights. While the light source or sources  72  may be incandescent lights, it is presently preferred that light emitting diodes (LEDs) be used. Each light source  74  is removably placed in an electrical socket with electricity being delivered to each socket using wires W 1  and W 2 . Such electricity is available in household sockets as 120 volt AC conducted to plug  74  and along conductors contained in sheath  76  to the interior of the housing  70  at site  78  ( FIG. 3 ) and thence along conductors W 1  and W 2 . A switch SW 1  accommodates turning on and shutting off the electricity. When the switch SW 1  is on and plug  74  in a household socket, the light sources  72  are illuminated in a pulsating or flickering fashion, causing light to be periodically transmitted through the translucent wall  14  so as to realistically and authentically resemble the light viewed when a candle burns, but namelessly without combustion. 
     The socket or sockets for the light sources or source  72  are secured in the position, illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  by a suitable anchor plug  80 , which may be a bonding agent placed snuggly in the hollow interior  66  adjacent to upper end  64  of the pedestal  60 . 
     While one heating element may be utilized, two heating elements  82  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to which household electricity is delivered, when the switch SW 1  is on. Essentially, the heaters  82  are commercially available resistors. Each heater  82  is held in contiguous heat-communicating relation with the reservoir wall  50 , at the bottom surface thereof. Consequently, when the heaters  82  are on, heat conductively passes through the wall  50  to melt and warm the candle material or wax particles in the reservoir or to warm scented oil contained therein, as the case may be, thereby causing aroma from the fragrance-emitting material to elevate up the chimney and out adjacent to the top edge  18  into the ambient atmosphere rounding the apparatus  10 . 
     Each heater  82  is secured in its position by a vertical threaded shaft  84 . Each threaded shaft  84  passes through a threaded aperture in steel bar  88 , such that the threaded shafts  84  may be rotated in threaded apertures  86  of the bar until the respective heaters  82  rest firmly contiguous against the lower surface of wall  50 . 
     The steel bar  88  is of narrow rectangular construction and is planar as to be disposed in a plane above but essentially parallel to support structure  28 , usually horizontal. Bar  88  is of a size such that it can readily be placed through the opening  36  and positioned to rest upon spaced flat rectangular cushioning seals  90 , so that the bar  88  is spaced from the annular wall  35 , with the circular opening  36  accommodating facile insertion of the bar  88 . The head  92  of a threaded bolt  94  is welded at  96  to the underside of the crossbar  88  so that the bolt extends downwardly loosely through an aperture  98  in a base plate  100 , the base plate  100  being essentially spaced from but parallel to the crossbar  88 . The plate  100  is circular in its configuration so that it continuously and contiguously presses against the bottom surface of the wall  35  and is held in this position by a nut  102  threaded tightly upon the threaded shaft  94  to rigidly secure the heaters  82 , the threaded shafts  84 , the bar  88  and the plate  100  in stable relation, while allowing removal of the nut  102  to disassemble, when and if necessary. 
     Reference is now made to the circuit drawing of  FIG. 5 . 120 volt alternating current from a household source is caused to be available across switch SW 1  on live wire or conductor W 1 , with wire or conductor W 2  serving as a ground wire. Resistor R 1  represents heaters  82 , and directly uses the 120 v AC to melt scented candle wax or fragrance-emitting particles or to heat oil, to release an aroma. Capacitor C 1  in conjunction with resistor R 1  provides failure protection for the heater. Diodes D 1  through D 4  function as a transformer to transform 120 v AC power into low voltage DC power for illuminating LED lights LED 1  through LED 3 . DZ 1 , in conjunction with compacitor C 2 , provide fail safe protection for the LEDs. All electrical components are preferably mounted on a PC board. 
     The flicking occurs at the LED lights (LED 1  through LED 3 ). Each has a commercially available build-in integrated circuit to perform the flickering function by sending a command signal, on a certain frequency, to the LED light bulbs. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which, unless otherwise stated hereinafter, is constructed as heretofore set forth in respect to apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 . The embodiment of  FIG. 4  is referred to generally by the numeral  120 . The  FIG. 4  scented material warmer  120  comprises a base generally designated  122 , comprising a tapered side wall  124  terminating in an upwardly directed annular lip  126 . Annular shelf or shoulder  125  extends horizontally and radially outwardly from and integral with wall  125 , such that a top surface  127  of the shelf  125  contiguously but removably receives the lower edge  22  of the chimney  12 , when the apparatus  120  is fully assembled and in operable condition. The base  122 , at an elevation slightly below the annular lip  126 , comprises a flat wall  128  having spaced apertures  130  disposed therein, only one aperture  130  being illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Horizontal wall  128  is integral with side wall  124 . Apertures  130  accommodate insertion of the previously described heaters  82  into firm contiguous relation with the lower surface  132  of a metal heating plate  134 , so that the heaters  82  conduct heat across the plate  132 , which is annular in its configuration, the heating plate  134  comprises a central aperture  136 , accommodating placement of a light source tower or pedestal  152 . Wall  128  comprises a central opening  137  therein through which conductors W 1  and W 2  pass to supply power to the light sources at the top of pedestal  152 . 
     The apparatus  120  comprises removable annularly-shaped dish, generally designated  140 . The dish  140  is of one piece construction, which comprises an outwardly tapered, vertically extending wall  142  having an internal surface  143 , a bottom wall  144  comprising a bottom surface  146  extending generally in a horizontal direction and disposed contiguous with the heating plate  134 . The dish or container  140  comprises a top lip  148 , which defines an opening at top  150 . A downwardly extending support ring  151  rests upon wall  128  and provides an annular space support sized to receive heating plate  134  contiguously beneath the bottom  144  of dish  140  and the top surface of wall  128 . 
     A pedestal, generally designated  152 , is removable, but, in the assembled position, comprises an annular support foot  154 , which stably supports the pedestal  152  upon the top surface of wall  128 . The remainder of the pedestal  152  is preferably identical to pedestal  60  of apparatus  10 ; described above. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.