Aromatic substance heating device

Abstract

An aromatic substance heating device including a base, an integral heating element carried by the base, wherein the aromatic substance heating device is configured to receive and non-combustively heat an aromatic substance that is a solid at room temperature and a liquid at an elevated temperature. An aromatic substance container can be included to contain and transfer heat to the aromatic substance. The aromatic substance can include a candle wax.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device configured for providing a pleasant aroma by heating an aromatic substance made for the purpose of providing an aroma when heated, comprising: 
 a) a base;    b) a liquid-tight containment carried by the base, configured to receive the aromatic substance; and    c) a heating element carried by the base, configured to heat the aromatic substance to better release an aroma of the aromatic substance.    
     
     
         2 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising at least one upwardly extending side wall, carried by the base, and circumscribing the heating element.  
     
     
         3 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the upwardly extending side wall is comprised of a thermally conductive material and is configured to extend around at least a portion of the aromatic substance to increase heat transfer to the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         4 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the upwardly extending side wall is comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction and is configured to extend around at least a portion of the aromatic substance to decrease heat transfer from the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         5 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an air fan carried by the base, configured to move air past the aromatic substance to better disperse aroma from the aromatic substance into an atmosphere.  
     
     
         6 . A device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         7 . A device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         8 . An aromatic substance heating device comprising: 
 a) a base;    b) a heating element disposed within the base and being configured to heat an aromatic substance; and    c) a provision for a light source carried by the base, said device configured so the light source can illuminate an area adjacent the aromatic substance.    
     
     
         9 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein intensity of illumination from the light source varies, so as to emulate an appearance of a burning candle.  
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 8 , wherein said provision for the light source is adjacent the heating element.  
     
     
         11 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the heating element is disposed in one or more locations around and adjacent said provision for the light source.  
     
     
         12 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the heating element is substantially annular and circumscribes said provision for the light source.  
     
     
         13 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising at least one upwardly extending side wall carried by the base and circumscribing the heating element.  
     
     
         14 . A device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the upwardly extending side wall is comprised of a thermally conductive material and is configured to extend around at least a portion of the aromatic substance to increase heat transfer to the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         15 . A device in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the upwardly extending side wall is comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction and is configured to extend around at least a portion of the aromatic substance to decrease heat transfer from the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         16 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , the base including an air fan carried by the base and configured to move air past the aromatic substance to better disperse aroma from the aromatic substance into an atmosphere.  
     
     
         17 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         18 . A device in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         19 . An aromatic substance heating device comprising: 
 a) a base; and    b) an integral heating element carried by the base;    c) the aromatic substance heating device being configured to receive and non-combustively heat an aromatic substance that is a solid at room temperature and a liquid at an elevated temperature.    
     
     
         20 . A device in accordance with  claim 19 , the base further defining a containment portion to receive an aromatic substance.  
     
     
         21 . A device in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising an aromatic substance container containing an aromatic substance, disposed on a top of the heating element, the aromatic substance container being configured to be heated by the heating element and to conduct heat to the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         22 . A device in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         23 . A device in accordance with  claim 22  wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         24 . An aromatic heating device, comprising: 
 a) a base; and    b) a heating element disposed within the base;    c) the heating device being configured to receive a container containing an aromatic substance in solid form having a first vapor pressure and to non-combustively heat the aromatic substance to an elevated temperature where it liquefies, the liquid having a second, greater vapor pressure.    
     
     
         25 . A device in accordance with  claim 24 , the base further defining a containment portion to receive the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         26 . A device in accordance with  claim 24 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         27 . A device in accordance with  claim 26  wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         28 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface, configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) at least one side wall, extending upwardly and around the bottom surface, configured to contain, and transfer heat to, an aromatic substance; and    c) a retaining lip extending upwardly and inwardly from the side wall, configured to reduce spillage of the aromatic substance.    
     
     
         29 . A container in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the bottom surface and side wall are comprised of a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         30 . A container in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the retaining lip is comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction.  
     
     
         31 . A container in accordance with  claim 28 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of the retaining lip, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
     
     
         32 . A container in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid having a lower vapor pressure at a lower temperature, and that is a liquid having a higher vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         33 . A container in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a candle wax.  
     
     
         34 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface, configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) i) an outer perimeter comprising an outer side wall, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and 
 ii) an inner perimeter comprising an inner side wall, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the inner perimeter being circumscribed by the outer perimeter and defining an opening in the substance container; 
 each side wall being configured to contain and transfer heat to an aromatic substance;  
 
   c) an outer retaining lip extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer side wall; and    d) an inner retaining lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner side wall.    
     
     
         35 . A container in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein: 
 a) the bottom surface is substantially annular and has a defined center vertical axis;    b) i) the outer side wall circumscribes the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface, and 
 ii) the inner side wall is located between the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface and the outer side wall,  
   c) the outer retaining lip extends i) upwardly from the outer side wall and ii) laterally toward the defined center vertical axis of the annular bottom surface; and    d) the inner retaining lip extends i) upwardly from the inner side wall and ii) laterally away from the defined center vertical axis of the annular bottom surface.    
     
     
         36 . A container in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the bottom surface and outer and inner side walls are comprised of a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         37 . A container in accordance with  claim 35 , wherein the outer and inner retaining lips are comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction.  
     
     
         38 . A container in accordance with  claim 35 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the inner and outer retaining lips, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
     
     
         39 . A container in accordance with  claim 34 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the outer and inner side walls, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
     
     
         40 . A container in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid having a lower vapor pressure at a lower temperature, and that is a liquid having a higher vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         41 . A container in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a candle wax.  
     
     
         42 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface, configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) i) an outer perimeter comprising an outer side wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface; and 
 ii) an inner perimeter comprising an inner side wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the inner perimeter defining an opening in the substance container being configured to at least partially enclose a light source; 
 each side wall being configured to transfer heat to an aromatic substance;  
 
   
     
     
         43 . A device in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein the bottom surface and outer and inner side walls are comprised of a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         44 . A device in accordance with  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 a) an outer retaining lip extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer side wall; and    b) an inner retaining lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner side wall.    
     
     
         45 . A container in accordance with  claim 44 , wherein the outer and inner retaining lips are comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction.  
     
     
         46 . A container in accordance with  claim 44 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the inner and outer retaining lips, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
     
     
         47 . A container in accordance with  claim 42 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the outer and inner side walls, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
     
     
         48 . A container in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid having a lower vapor pressure at a lower temperature, and that is a liquid having a higher vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         49 . A container in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a candle wax.  
     
     
         50 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface comprised of a thermally conductive material, having a center and being configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) at least one conductive side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface and circumscribing a vertical axis extending upwardly from the center of the bottom surface;    c) an aromatic substance, contained within a cavity formed by the bottom surface and the conductive side wall; and    d) a retaining lip extending i) upwardly from the conductive side wall and ii) inwardly toward the vertical axis extending vertically upward from the center of the bottom surface, the retaining lip being configured to reduce spillage of the aromatic substance;    e) wherein the aromatic substance container is configured to conduct heat from a heating source to the aromatic substance.    
     
     
         51 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a substantially annular bottom surface comprised of a thermally conductive material, having a defined center vertical axis, and being configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) a conductive outer side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface and circumscribing the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface, and a conductive inner side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, extending upwardly from the bottom surface and located between the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface and the outer side wall;    c) an aromatic substance, contained within a cavity formed by the bottom surface and the conductive outer and inner side walls;    d) an outer retaining lip extending i) upwardly from the conductive outer side wall and ii) laterally toward the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface; and    e) an inner retaining lip extending i) upwardly from the conductive interior side wall and ii) laterally away from the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface.    
     
     
         52 . An aromatic substance heating kit configured to simulate a burning candle, comprising: 
 a) a base, including a substantially annular heating element disposed within the base and having a top surface, the heating element being configured to heat an aromatic substance container; and 
 a provision for a light source disposed within the base and being configured to receive a light source to provide illumination to an area adjacent the base; and  
   b) an aromatic substance container comprising; 
 a bottom surface, configured to be placed proximate the top surface of the heating element and to contain and transfer heat to an aromatic substance; and  
 at least one side wall, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface and circumscribing a center of the bottom surface, the side wall being configured to contain and transfer heat to the aromatic substance.  
   
     
     
         53 . A candle heating kit, comprising: 
 a) a base, configured to carry a candle and including a heating element;    b) an aromatic candle, configured to be heated by the heating element to better release an aroma of the aromatic candle.    
     
     
         54 . A kit in accordance with  claim 53 , the base further comprising at least one upwardly extending side wall carried by the base and circumscribing the heating element and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the container.  
     
     
         55 . A kit in accordance with  claim 53 , further comprising an air fan carried by the base, configured to move air past the aromatic candle to better disperse the aroma into an atmosphere.  
     
     
         56 . A kit in accordance with  claim 53 , further including a heating side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, coupled to and extending upwardly from the heating element and circumscribing a center of the heating element, the heating side wall being configured to extend around at least a portion of a bottom of the aromatic candle to increase heat flow through the aromatic candle.  
     
     
         57 . A kit in accordance with  claim 53 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         58 . A kit in accordance with  claim 57 , wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         59 . A kit in accordance with  claim 53 , wherein the kit is adapted for non-combustively providing a scented candle aroma.  
     
     
         60 . An aromatic substance heating kit, comprising: 
 a) a base, configured to receive an aromatic substance, and including a heating element;    b) an aromatic substance, configured to be heated by the heating element to better release an aroma of the aromatic substance; and    c) a containment portion defined by the base.    
     
     
         61 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , further comprising at least one upwardly extending side wall carried by the base and circumscribing the heating element and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the container.  
     
     
         62 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , further comprising an air fan disposed within the base and being configured to move air past the aromatic substance to better disperse the aroma into an atmosphere.  
     
     
         63 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , wherein the side wall is comprised of a thermally conductive material, configured to extend around at least a portion of a bottom of the aromatic substance container to increase heat flow through the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         64 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , further comprising a chimney having at least one enclosing side wall and a top opening and a bottom opening, the bottom opening being configured to be placed proximate a top of the base.  
     
     
         65 . A kit in accordance with  claim 64 , wherein the chimney comprises a translucent material.  
     
     
         66 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , wherein the containment portion is formed within the base.  
     
     
         67 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , where in the containment portion is associated with the aromatic substance to contain the aromatic substance.  
     
     
         68 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid and has a lesser vapor pressure at a room temperature, and is a liquid and has a greater vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         69 . A kit in accordance with  claim 60 , wherein the aromatic substance includes candle wax.  
     
     
         70 . A method of providing a pleasant aroma to an environment, comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing an aromatic candle in thermal communication with a heating element; and    b) applying heat to the aromatic candle with the heating element to thereby non-combustively heat the aromatic candle to obtain an aromatic benefit of the aromatic candle without combustion.    
     
     
         71 . A method in accordance with  claim 70 , wherein the step of applying heat to the aromatic candle changes candle wax comprising the aromatic candle from a solid at a room temperature to a liquid at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         72 . A method in accordance with  claim 70 , further comprising the step of heating the aromatic candle to a temperature range selected from the group consisting of 90° F. - 300° F., 90° F. - 200° F., 90° F. - 150° F., and 90° F. - 125° F.  
     
     
         73 . A method in accordance with  claim 70 , further comprising the step of providing an air fan to blow air past the aromatic candle to better disperse an aroma of the candle.  
     
     
         74 . A method in accordance with  claim 70 , further comprising the step of providing a light source adjacent the aromatic candle to emulate the appearance of a lighted candle.  
     
     
         75 . A method of obtaining benefit of an aromatic candle without combustion, comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing the aromatic candle in thermal communication with a heating element; and    b) applying heat to the aromatic candle with the heating element to thereby non-combustively heat the aromatic candle to obtain an aromatic benefit of the aromatic candle without combustion.    
     
     
         76 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , wherein the step of applying heat to the aromatic candle changes candle wax comprising the aromatic candle from a solid at a room temperature to a liquid at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         77 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , further comprising the step of heating the aromatic candle to a temperature range selected from the group consisting of 90° F.-300° F., 90° F.-200° F., 90° F.-150° F., and 9° F.-125° F.  
     
     
         78 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , further comprising the step of providing an air fan to blow air past the aromatic candle to better disperse an aroma of the candle.  
     
     
         79 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , further comprising the step of providing a light source adjacent the aromatic candle to emulate the appearance of a lighted candle.  
     
     
         80 . A method of providing a pleasant aroma to an environment, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a heating element; and    b) applying heat from the heating element to candle wax to thereby non-combustively heat the candle wax to obtain an aromatic benefit of the candle wax without combustion.    
     
     
         81 . A method in accordance with claim  80 , further comprising the step of placing the candle wax in a container disposed upon the heating element.  
     
     
         82 . A method in accordance with claim  80 , wherein the step of applying heat to the candle wax changes the candle wax from a solid at a room temperature to a liquid at an elevated temperature.  
     
     
         83 . A method in accordance with claim  80 , further comprising the step of heating the candle wax to a temperature range selected from the group consisting of 90° F.-300° F., 90° F.-200° F, 90° F.-150° F., and 90° F.-125° F.  
     
     
         84 . A method in accordance with claim  80 , further comprising the step of providing an air fan to blow air past the candle wax to better disperse an aroma of the candle wax.  
     
     
         85 . A method in accordance with claim  80 , further comprising the step of providing a light source adjacent the candle wax to emulate the appearance of a lighted candle.