Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-18
2003-09-30
Paik, Sang (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C392S390000, C392S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06627857
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a warming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a warming apparatus adapted to warm a substance, such as a scented candle or other object resting thereon, the apparatus configured to include one or more of an adjustable cord apparatus, a light source for illuminating a candle, or auxiliary attachment means for attaching decorative or functional items.
2. Background of the Invention and Related Art
Warming apparatuses, such as hot plates, are adapted to provide heat to an object or substance in contact therewith. A vast array of uses and configurations of warming apparatuses have been developed. Current warming apparatuses range from the simple wire coil heaters for warming food to the composite ceramic electromechanical assemblies used in complex manufacturing.
In recent years, warming device or hot plate technology has been adapted to provide an alternative means of heating scented candles. Scented candles have become enormously popular sale items in boutiques, gift stores, craft centers, and even gun shows. Manufacturers and retailers offer scented candles in a variety of configurations and aromas. Scented candles are typically sold in glass or ceramic containers. The container provides both a means of controlling wax loss and as decorative packaging for the candle. When a user lights the wick of the scented candle, heat from the combustion of the wick slowly melts the candle wax and heats the perfume or other substance responsible for producing the desired scent. Once the wax reaches a molten state, the scented particles are released or escape from the wax or other candle mediums.
Although popular and pleasant, there are a number drawbacks to burning candles as an aroma-delivery device. The open flame of a candle can create a fire risk when burned in a user's home. Additionally, the combustion of the wick and wax consumes a large percentage of the aroma contained in the wax. Waxy residues emitted by the burning candle often become deposited on nearby walls, drapes, furniture, carpet, and ventilation systems. Such residues can be unsightly, may cause damage, are dangerous, and are not easily removed. To provide an alternative method of releasing the aroma from scented candles, some have used a simple hot plate to provide a heating mechanism for melting the wax without requiring combustion of the candle wax or wick. Because the hot plate obviates the need to burn the candle wick, the wax is itself not depleted or emitted into the air. Only the scent is emitted into the air. Even when heated to liquification, little or no wax is emitted into the air.
FIG. 1
illustrates a simple candle warming apparatus
10
adapted for warming scented candles. Warming apparatus
10
comprises a hot plate
12
, a housing
14
, a switch
16
, and a cord
18
. The hot plate
12
is sized so as to warm a standard sized scented candle resting thereon. The housing
14
is adapted to surround the hot plate
12
while providing a covering to the internal wiring and internal heating element of the warming apparatus
10
. The switch
16
is used to selectively activate and deactivate the hot plate
12
. The cord
18
is of a standard length and provides an electrical connection to a standard AC outlet, thus providing the energy needed to heat the hot plate
12
. The candle warming apparatus
10
is substantially similar to coffee mug warming devices.
The candle warming apparatus
10
, while providing a mechanism to heat a scented candle, nevertheless suffers from several deficiencies. First, although capable of melting the candle wax so as to cause the emission of aroma therefrom, the soft, warm, ambient glow of the lit candle, preferred by many candle enthusiasts, is absent. As a result, the candle warming apparatus
10
, while releasing the aroma of the candle, provides an inadequate alternative to an actual burning candle for many candle lovers. Second, the cord
18
is of a fixed length and is located in a fixed location. As a result, in those cases where the entire cord length is not needed, it can provide an aesthetically displeasing effect. Moreover, a cord left to dangle or with excessive slack can cause a hazard of being snagged or looped around a person's foot (e.g., a child or careless adult), thereby potentially causing the warming apparatus
10
and candle to fall to the ground. Third, no mechanism is provided for varying the temperature of the warming apparatus
10
in order to account for variations in the melting temperature of different waxes used to make scented candles. In general, because the warming apparatus
10
is merely an adapted coffee mug warmer, it lacks a variety of desirable features geared to the serious scented candle burning enthusiast.
Accordingly, an improved warming apparatus in multiple embodiments and comprising one or more improved features is disclosed and claimed herein.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention features a warming apparatus, and more particularly, a heating surface, such as a hot plate apparatus, adapted to warm a scented candle or other object resting thereon, wherein the heating surface comprises a number of additional features to enhance the candle burning experience. Although any object containing a substance, such as a wax or wax-like substance, is intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, for the purposes of discussion, a scented candle will be used throughout to represent the object of preference. This is not meant to be limiting in any way, but is meant to be used for illustrative purposes only.
The warming apparatus of the present invention is configured to include one or a combination of features, such as one or more light sources for illuminating the candle and/or the warming device, a cord-adjusting apparatus, and/or auxiliary attachment means for attaching decorative or functional items, such as seasonal or holiday oriented designs, various art and craft designs, etc., to the warming apparatus.
In one exemplary embodiment, the warming apparatus includes a heating surface or a hot plate and means for illuminating an object, such as a candle. Means for illuminating an object comprises a light source operable with the warming apparatus that functions to provide or simulate the same or similar visual effects as existing in a burning candle. Preferably, the light source is embedded within or near the heating surface so that the light may penetrate the liquefied substance within the container resting atop and in contact with and being heated by the heating surface. The heating surface may comprises a heat source of any known or desired means, such as a resistive heating device, halogen lighting, coil heating, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the heating surface is heated by means of a ceramic heating element. Ceramic heating elements are advantageous because they can generate adequate quantities of heat energy within a controlled temperature range.
The light source may be located internally or externally relative to the heating surface of the warming apparatus. As stated, in a preferred embodiment, the light source is embedded or otherwise disposed within the heating surface or other location of the hot plate in order to illuminate the candle (or some other type of container containing a wax or wax-like substance) through either the bottom surface or a side surface, or both, of the candle. In addition to, or instead of a light source disposed within the hot plate, one or more light sources may be located on or within the housing of the warming apparatus surrounding the hot plate in order to illuminate the candle through the sidewall of the candle container.
The light source can be adapted to provide a constant warm glow. Alternatively, the light source can be adapted to replicate or simulate the flicker and lighting of a burning candle. A combination of lights in various locations can be utilized in order to provide a m
Jacobson Greg Gerard
Tanner Brent Robert
Johnson Christopher L.
Kirton & McConkie
Paik Sang
Park Cities Capital, L.L.C.
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