Flame simulating assembly

Abstract

A flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and for affecting a temperature of the objects. The flame simulating assembly includes a flame image subassembly for providing one or more images of flames. The flame image subassembly includes one or more light sources and a screen positioned in a path of light from the light source. The screen is adapted for transmission of the image of flames therethrough. The flame simulating assembly also includes a body with a chamber therein accessible via one or more apertures in the body, the objects being receivable in the chamber. Also, the flame simulating assembly includes one or more temperature-affecting elements for affecting the temperature of the objects positioned in the chamber, and a cover portion positionable on the body to cover the aperture.

1 . A flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and affecting a temperature thereof, the flame simulating assembly comprising: 
 a housing comprising a body portion with at least one chamber therein accessible via at least one aperture in the body portion, said objects being receivable in said at least one chamber;    a flame image subassembly for providing at least one image of flames and disposed at least partially in the housing, the flame image subassembly comprising: 
 at least one light source;  
 a screen positioned in a path of light from said at least one light source, the screen being adapted for transmission of said at least one image of flames through the screen;  
   at least one temperature-affecting element for affecting the temperature of said objects positioned in said at least one chamber;    the housing additionally comprising a cover portion for cooperating with the body portion to cover at least part of said at least one chamber; and    the cover portion being movable between an open position, in which said at least one chamber is at least partially exposed, and a closed position, in which said at least one chamber is at least partially covered.    
   
   
       2 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises at least one heat source adapted for heating said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       3 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which the housing comprises at least one opening through which said at least one image of flames is viewable.  
   
   
       4 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 3  additionally comprising a mesh screen, said at least one image of flames being at least partially viewable through the mesh screen.  
   
   
       5 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 4  in which the housing comprises at least one door and said at least one door comprises said at least one opening.  
   
   
       6 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 5  in which the mesh screen is attached to said at least one door.  
   
   
       7 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which the cover portion cooperates with the body portion to substantially close said at least one aperture when the cover portion is in the closed position.  
   
   
       8 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 7  additionally comprising at least one container defining a cavity therein, said at least one container being at least partially receivable in said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       9 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 8  in which, when said at least one container is at least partially received in said at least one chamber via said at least one aperture: 
 the cover portion is movable to the closed position; and    the cover portion cooperates with the body portion to substantially close said at least one aperture.    
   
   
       10 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 8  in which said at least one container is at least partially thermally insulated.  
   
   
       11 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 8  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises at least one cooling element for cooling the cavity.  
   
   
       12 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 8  in which at least one cooling element for cooling the cavity is receivable in said at least one container.  
   
   
       13 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises a Peltier device for alternately heating and cooling said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       14 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 2  additionally comprising at least one switch for opening and closing an electric circuit comprising said at least one heat source, to control activation of said at least one heat source.  
   
   
       15 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 14  in which said at least one switch is configured to open the circuit when said at least one container is at least partially received in said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       16 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 15  in which said at least one switch is configured to close the circuit upon removal of said at least one container from said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       17 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 16  additionally comprising an exterior switch for controlling the circuit when said at least one container is absent from said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       18 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a flicker element for causing said light from the light source to flicker, such that said at least one image of flames flickers.  
   
   
       19 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which the flame image subassembly additionally comprises a flame effect element positioned in a path of light from said at least one light source between the flicker element and the screen, for configuring light from said at least one light source to form said at least one image of flames.  
   
   
       20 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 1  in which the flame image subassembly comprises a simulated fuel bed positioned in front of the screen such that said at least one image of flames appears to be rising from the simulated fuel bed.  
   
   
       21 . A flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and affecting a temperature thereof, the flame simulating assembly comprising: 
 a flame image subassembly for providing at least one image of flames, the flame image subassembly comprising: 
 at least one light source;  
 a screen positioned in a path of light from said at least one light source, the screen being adapted for transmission of said at least one image of flames through the screen;  
   a body comprising a chamber therein accessible via at least one aperture in the body, said objects being receivable in said at least one chamber;    at least one temperature-affecting element for affecting the temperature of said objects positioned in said at least one chamber; and    a cover portion positionable on the body to cover the aperture.    
   
   
       22 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 21  in which the cover portion is movable between an open position, in which said at least one aperture is at least partially open, and a closed position, in which said at least one aperture is at least partially closed.  
   
   
       23 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 21  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises at least one heating element adapted for heating said at least one chamber.  
   
   
       24 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 21  additionally comprising at least one container defining a cavity therein, said at least one container being at least partially receivable in the chamber.  
   
   
       25 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 24  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises a cooling element for cooling the cavity.  
   
   
       26 . A flame simulating assembly according to  claim 21  in which said at least one temperature-affecting element comprises a Peltier device for heating and cooling said at least one chamber.