U.S. patent application number 11/140683 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for melting plate with capillary lobe having a peaked apex and complementary fuel element for a candle assembly.
Invention is credited to Furner, Paul E., Kubicek, Chris A., Nelson, Cory J., Soller, Douglas A..
Application Number | 20050208447 11/140683 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37033813 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050208447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kubicek, Chris A. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
Melting plate with capillary lobe having a peaked apex and
complementary fuel element for a candle assembly
Abstract
A candle assembly is disclosed including a melting plate and a
fuel element. The melting plate includes a bottom wall and a
capillary lobe having a peaked apex protruding upwardly therefrom.
The fuel element includes a bottom surface having a depression
therein for receiving the peaked apex. The peaked apex may take
many forms, such as hemispherical, conical, egg shaped, pyramidal,
etc., and may have a pointed apex or a rounded apex. The depression
in the fuel element may be complementary to the capillary lobe such
that a capillary space is disposed therebetween and a portion of
the bottom surface of the fuel element is in thermal communication
with a portion of the bottom wall surrounding the capillary
lobe.
Inventors: |
Kubicek, Chris A.; (East
Troy, WI) ; Furner, Paul E.; (Racine, WI) ;
Soller, Douglas A.; (Racine, WI) ; Nelson, Cory
J.; (Racine, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
37033813 |
Appl. No.: |
11/140683 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11140683 |
May 31, 2005 |
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10780028 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
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11140683 |
May 31, 2005 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
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10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/292 ;
431/289; 431/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 3/18 20130101; F23D
3/16 20130101; F21V 37/00 20130101; F23D 3/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/292 ;
431/289; 431/301 |
International
Class: |
F23D 003/16; F23D
003/34 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A melting plate for a melting plate candle assembly, the melting
plate comprising: a thermally transmissive bottom wall; and a
capillary lobe protruding upwardly from a low point of the bottom
wall, the capillary lobe having a peaked apex.
2. The melting plate of claim 1, wherein the capillary lobe is
generally conical.
3. The melting plate of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is
generally dished shaped.
4. The melting plate of claim 3, wherein the bottom wall is
generally concave shaped.
5. The melting plate of claim 1, wherein the capillary lobe has a
substantially smooth outer surface.
6. The melting plate of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall and the
capillary lobe are formed of a metallic material.
7. A fuel element for use with a melting plate having a capillary
lobe with a peaked apex protruding upwardly from a bottom wall
thereof, the fuel element comprising: a fuel charge having a
depression disposed in a lower surface thereof; wherein the
depression is adapted to receive the capillary lobe therein.
8. The fuel element of claim 7, wherein the fuel charge is shaped
to be in thermal communication with the bottom wall when the
capillary lobe is received in the depression.
9. The fuel element of claim 8, wherein the depression is
substantially complementary to the capillary lobe such that the
lower surface may be disposed on the bottom wall when the capillary
lobe is disposed in the depression.
10. The fuel element of claim 7, wherein the depression is
conically shaped.
11. The fuel element of claim 7, further comprising a wick holder
at least partly surrounded by the fuel charge, the wick holder
including a base portion; wherein the base portion forms a portion
of the depression.
12. The fuel element of claim 11, wherein the base portion includes
a peripheral skirt, the peripheral skirt at least partly defining
the depression.
13. The fuel element of claim 12, wherein the peripheral skirt is
substantially conically shaped.
14. The fuel element of claim 11, wherein the base portion is sized
to form a capillary space between the base portion and the
capillary lobe when the capillary lobe is received in the
depression, the capillary space extending between a wick receiver
extending from the base portion and a location adjacent the bottom
wall.
15. The fuel element of claim 11, wherein the wick holder includes
a heat conductive fin extending between the base portion and a
location proximate a flame location on a wick carried by a wick
receiver.
16. The fuel element of claim 11, wherein the wick holder is formed
substantially of a heat conductive material.
17. A candle assembly comprising: a support plate including a
capillary lobe projecting upwardly from a bottom wall, the
capillary lobe having a peaked apex; and a fuel element including a
depression in a lower surface thereof; wherein a portion of the
lower surface is in thermal communication with the bottom wall and
the peaked apex is disposed in the depression.
18. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the capillary lobe is
substantially conically shaped.
19. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein a capillary space is
disposed between the depression and the capillary lobe, the
capillary space extending from a location proximate the bottom wall
to a wick disposed in the fuel element.
20. The candle assembly of claim 17, further comprising a magnet
disposed proximate the capillary lobe, the magnet magnetically
engaging a portion of the fuel element.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/780,028, entitled "Improved Melting Plate
Candles," filed Feb. 17, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/978,744, entitled "Wick Holder Magnetic Retention Means," filed
Nov. 1, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/938,434, entitled "Wick Holder Locking
Mechanism," filed Sep. 10, 2004, each of which is incorporated
herein by reference in the entirety thereof.
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed generally toward candle
assemblies, and more particularly toward candle assemblies
including a melting plate and a fuel element for placement
thereon.
[0006] 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0007] Melting plate candles and simmer plate dispensers have been
used to provide rapid melting of a solid fuel element and/or rapid
dispensing of a vaporizable material to the atmosphere. In one
melting plate candle, a dispenser for active materials has a
melting plate dispenser of volatile materials having a fuel
element, including a consumable wick disposed in the wax fuel
charge, and a heat conductive base having conductive elements. Heat
from a flame at the wick is transferred to the heat conductive
base, which in turn helps melt the wax fuel element at locations
other than directly adjacent to the flame. Another melting plate
candle has a concave melting plate. A wick in a fuel element is
located at a low point in the melting plate such that melted fuel
material on the melting plate is directed by gravity toward the
wick.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a melting
plate for a melting plate candle assembly includes a thermally
transmissive bottom wall and a capillary lobe protruding upwardly
from a low point of the bottom wall. The capillary lobe has a
peaked apex.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a fuel
element for use with a melting plate having a capillary lobe with a
peaked apex protruding upwardly from a bottom wall thereof includes
a fuel charge having a depression disposed in a lower surface
thereof. The depression is adapted to receive the capillary lobe
therein.
[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
candle assembly includes a support plate including a capillary lobe
projecting upwardly from a bottom wall, the capillary lobe having a
peaked apex, and a fuel element including a depression in a lower
surface thereof. A portion of the lower surface is in thermal
communication with the bottom wall and the peaked apex is disposed
in the depression.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a melting plate
candle assembly according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, including a melting plate and a fuel element;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the melting plate candle
assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded isometric view of a melting
plate candle assembly showing a fuel element and candle holder
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the melting
plate candle assembly of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of yet another
embodiment of a melting plate candle holder, showing a capillary
pedestal, but absent a wick clip assembly and candle; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a melting plate candle
assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention
showing the candleholder and melting plate of FIG. 5, a wick clip
assembly, and a fuel element in operative position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In one embodiment, a melting plate candle assembly of the
present invention includes a fuel element and a container
encompassing the fuel element. The container includes a heat
conductive support member, such as a metallic melting plate
including a bottom wall and a capillary lobe, which can either be a
raised pedestal or a depression in the bottom wall. The fuel
element includes a fuel charge having a defined outer surface,
which is in thermal communication with the bottom wall, such as by
direct contact or through an intermediate heat conductive member,
and is supported or contained therein. The melting plate candle
assembly may also include additional heat transfer elements, in
either or both of the melting plate and the wick holder, to deliver
heat by conductive means to the fuel and to the melting plate, in
addition to heat transferred to the melting plate by direct
radiation from the flame. The melting plate thus functions as a
heating plate for the fuel element and any melted or liquefied fuel
pooled on the bottom wall. The melting plate may include highly
thermally transmissive, or heat conductive, material, such as
polished aluminum or any metal, and/or less thermally transmissive
materials may be used, such as glass or ceramic, or combinations
thereof. The surface of the melting plate may have a coating of a
surface tension modifying material applied thereto for purposes of
preparing a self-cleaning or easy cleaning melting plate, such as,
for example, a thin layer of a polytetrafluoroethylene
material.
[0019] The melting plate may be shaped so as to collect the melted
or liquefied fuel at a low point thereon, with the capillary lobe
disposed at the low point. A wick may be located with a wick holder
positioned over the capillary lobe, so that liquefied fuel is fed
to the wick, in order to promote maximum consumption of the
liquefied fuel. Thus, the melting plate may be shaped as a bowl or
a funnel with the low point disposed centrally on the bottom wall.
The melting plate may also be essentially flat with raised edges or
a surrounding wall to contain the melted fuel. The entire interior
surface of the melting plate may be highly heat conductive, or only
a small portion or none of the melting plate may be highly heat
conductive. Candle assemblies employing such melting plates are
generally referred to, collectively, as melting plate candles.
[0020] The fuel charge utilized in the present invention may be
initially in solid and/or gel form, and is in liquid form for
moving up the wick by capillary action to the flame, where it is
consumed. For convenience, the term solid fuel shall be used
hereinafter to refer to a fuel charge in either a gel or
conventional solid state, such as conventional candle wax in the
form of a shaped body or "puck" of wax having a hard outer surface
at room temperature. The wick draws the fuel consumed in the flame
at the burning wick from a pool of liquid fuel, which is formed by
melting the solid fuel by conductive heat transfer from the melting
plate and heat exchange elements in addition to radiant heat from
the flame. The pool of liquid fuel is contained on the upper
surface of the bottom wall of the melting plate. This pool of
liquid fuel may initially contain unmelted fuel in the solid state,
as well as melted fuel, and the elevated temperature of the pool
achieved by the present invention aids in complete melting of the
fuel element.
[0021] The wick is secured in a position with the wick holder. The
wick holder engages the melting plate at the capillary lobe, which
locates the wick holder (and thus, the wick) in a preselected
position relative to the melting plate and transmits heat from the
flame on the wick to both the fuel and the melting plate. Thereby,
the fuel element is heated both by convection directly from the
flame and also by conduction through the wick holder and the
melting plate. The wick holder and the capillary lobe may also be
disposed to enhance flow of fuel to the wick by means of capillary
action through an appropriately sized gap, or capillary space,
formed between the lobe and the wick holder. The wick holder may
also be configured to engage the fuel element in a lock and key
relationship and to position it on the melting plate at a preferred
or preselected location.
[0022] The capillary lobe may engage and/or position the wick, wick
holder, and/or fuel element in such a manner as to provide an
advantageous positioning thereof for maximum consumption of the
liquefied fuel, as well as creating a capillary flow of melted fuel
from the melting plate to the wick positioned in the wick holder,
which is placed in such close relationship to the capillary lobe as
to create a narrow gap between the lobe and the wick holder. By
virtue of this narrow gap, which illustratively may be, for
example, between approximately 0.01 inch and approximately 0.04
inches (0.2 mm-1mm), or about 0.02 inches (0.5 mm), liquefied fuel
rises to the wick for consumption by a flame thereon. The capillary
action may also or alternatively be the result of grooves cut in
the lobe or in the wick holder, and the wick holder may be held
away from the lobe by the presence of appropriately positioned and
sized bumps located on the lobe, the wick holder, and/or the
melting plate. Moreover, the capillary forming combination of
elements may constitute a concave depression in the melting plate,
rather than a raised male lobe, and the wick holder in such case
may be an appropriately shaped male member that fits closely within
the depression so as to create a capillary gap between the members,
by which fuel is fed to the wick. Still further, the capillary
lobe, either in a male configuration or in a female configuration,
need not constitute a raised circular member, but may be of any
shape, such as for example cylindrical, pyramid shaped, square,
oval, triangular, or any other desired shape, in combination with a
like-shaped and appropriately dimensioned wick holder. The
capillary lobe need not transmit liquid fuel to the wick at all
parts of the perimeter of the capillary lobe, but rather may only
create a capillary gap for a limited portion of its circumference.
Thus, the wick holder need not be in a close enough proximity to
the lobe throughout the total area of engagement therewith to
provide a sufficient capillary effect to maintain the flame on the
wick.
[0023] Secondary heat conductive elements for conducting heat from
the flame to the fuel charge may take the form of one or more heat
fins or heat conductive surfaces disposed on the wick holder, and
having an orientation conducive to heat conduction, including a
vertical and/or horizontal orientation. The secondary heat
conductive elements are heated by contact with the flame or by heat
radiation from the flame and conduct heat to the melting plate and
directly to the fuel charge. The secondary heat conductive
elements, hereinafter exemplified as heat fins, although not
limited to fins per se, and intended to encompass other heat
conductive extensions of the wick holder which may serve this
function, may be of any heat conductive material, and may be
independent from or formed as an extension of the wick holder or
joined to the wick holder in such a manner as to conduct heat from
the flame to that portion of the wick holder which is engaged by
the capillary lobe and/or the melting plate. Illustratively, the
wick holder may thus include heat fins, a member to hold the wick,
such as a wick receiver, and a base configured to engage the
capillary lobe and transfer heat from the heat fins to the melting
plate.
[0024] The fuel charge may be formed of one or more materials
having a defined outer surface at room temperature, such as
paraffin, beeswax, montan wax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax,
polyvinyl acetate, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty esters, and
gels incorporating such fuels, and may have any convenient form,
such as pucks, donuts, chips, slivers, balls, pellets, shavings,
particulates, cubes, discs, three dimensional shapes, and wafers,
or in any other suitable shape. The fuel charge may optionally
further include volatile active materials, such as fragrances, air
fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, odor counter-actants,
insecticides, insect repellants, herbals, medicinal substances,
disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, aroma therapy
compositions, and the like. The fuel charge may be colored for
decorative effect, if so desired, and may be shaped to fit any
given configuration of melting plate and/or wick holder. For
example, the bottom of a solid fuel element may be curved
complementarily to the shape of the melting plate upon which it is
to rest, and have melting temperatures above ambient, but below the
flame temperature of a wick burning such fuel.
[0025] The melting plate and/or the fuel container may be formed in
such a manner as to permit placement of fuel elements of specific
configuration, such as wax pucks having a complementary
configuration, for example, in a preselected position in proximity
to the heat conductive elements themselves, or to the wick holder,
in such a manner as to maximize heat transfer from the melting
plate to said fuel elements. Due to the interaction between the
fuel element and the capillary lobe, a user may readily dispose a
replacement fuel element including the fuel charge, wick holder,
and wick, on the melting plate at a location designed to most
effectively melt and consume the fuel element.
[0026] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a melting
plate candle assembly according to a first embodiment of the
invention. The melting plate candle assembly includes a support
plate, such as melting plate 10, supported by a support base 12,
and a fuel element 14, including a fuel charge 16 and a wick 18
carried by a heat conductive element, such as a wick holder 20. The
melting plate 10 in one embodiment has a portion, such as a raised
shoulder (not shown), which is in proximity to and heated by
radiation of a flame burning on the wick 18, and which results in
heat being transferred rapidly to the fuel by both conduction
through the melting plate to the lower surfaces of the fuel charge
16 and by radiation from the flame to the upper surface of the fuel
charge. The fuel element is thus subjected to melting both by heat
directly from the flame and from the melting plate. A capillary
lobe 22 is disposed centrally in a bottom wall 24 of the melting
plate 10. The capillary lobe 22 has a substantially complementary
shape to that of a lower surface of the fuel element 14, and in one
embodiment has a rounded or generally hemispherical shape defining
a peaked apex 26 that fits into a complementary depression (not
shown) on the lower surface of the fuel element. The wick holder 20
includes a base portion 28 shaped to fit closely over the capillary
lobe 22, a wick receiver 30 for receiving the wick 18 therethrough,
and heat fins 32. The fuel charge 16 includes an opening
therethrough, such as a slot 34, through which the wick 18, wick
retainer 30, and heat fins 32 may pass. The fuel charge 16 is shown
as a wax puck, although other shapes may also be used. In one
embodiment, a starter bump of fuel (not shown) may be provided in
close proximity to the wick 18 to provide ready fuel for lighting
the wick.
[0027] In an operational configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the
fuel element 14 is positioned on the melting plate 10 with the base
28 of the wick holder 20 positioned over the capillary lobe 22 (not
shown) and the bottom surface (not shown) of the fuel charge 16
contacting the bottom wall 24. A capillary space (not shown) is
formed between the capillary lobe 22 and the base 28 to transfer
liquid fuel from the bottom wall 24 upwardly to the wick 18 by
capillary action when a flame is burning on the wick.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, a melting plate candle assembly of
another embodiment of the present invention includes a support
plate, such as a melting plate 50, carried by a support base 52 and
a fuel element 54. The fuel element 54 has a depression 56 in a
bottom surface 58 thereof that fits over a capillary lobe 60 in a
bottom wall 62 of the melting plate 50 such that the bottom surface
of the fuel element surrounding the depression is in thermal
communication with the bottom wall, such as, for example by being
disposed on the bottom wall. In the pictured embodiment, the
capillary lobe 60 has a generally conical shape having a
substantially smooth outer surface and a rounded peaked apex 64,
and the depression 56 has a conical shape generally complementary
to the shape of the capillary lobe. The bottom wall 62 and the
capillary pedestal 60 are formed of a thermally transmissive, or
highly heat conductive, material, such as aluminum. In other
embodiments, the capillary lobe 60 has a pointed peaked apex with a
roughened or stepped outer surface, and can have any shape
generally defining a peaked apex, such as, for example, pyramidal,
egg shaped, an elongate ridge, etc. The capillary lobe 60 is
disposed at a low point of the bottom wall 62, which has a
generally dished or concave shape, so that liquid fuel, such as
melted wax and/or oil, will flow toward the capillary lobe.
[0029] In one embodiment, the fuel element 54 includes a wick
holder 66 carrying a wick 68, which are at least partly surrounded
or encompassed by a fuel charge 70, such as a wax puck. The wick
holder 66, which includes a wick receiver 72 extending from a base
portion, such as a skirt 74, and heat fins 76, is formed
substantially of a heat conductive material, such as aluminum, and
is disposed through a slot 78 in the fuel charge 70. The skirt 74
is disposed in and at least partly defines the depression 56, and
the wick 68 extends above an upper surface of the fuel charge 70.
The skirt 74 is generally conically shaped complementary to the
shape of the capillary lobe 60 and includes, for example, a
Ferro-magnetic material, such as steel rivets 80, which is
magnetically attracted to a magnet 82 disposed underneath the
capillary lobe. The steel rivets 80 maintain a small gap, or
capillary space 84, between the skirt 74 and the capillary lobe 60
through which liquid fuel travels upwardly from the bottom wall 62
to the wick receiver 72. The wick receiver 72 maintains the wick 68
in a preselected position above the peaked apex 64 to draw the
liquid fuel from the capillary space 84 when a flame 86 is burning
on the wick.
[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6, show another embodiment of a melting plate
candle assembly. FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of a
melting plate candleholder 100, showing a capillary lobe, such as a
capillary pedestal 102 having a frustoconical shape with a flat
top, but absent a wick holder and candle or fuel charge. The
candleholder 100 is of a decorative shape, which may be of any
suitable shape for the use intended, with an open top for placement
of a fuel element upon a melting plate 104. The melting plate 104
in turn has a raised capillary pedestal 102 near the center of the
melting plate, upon which a wick holder or fuel element may be
positioned. The candleholder 100 has a bowl like configuration,
with raised edges to confine and hold a liquefied fuel. The melting
plate 104, as previously indicated, may be of any heat conductive
material, such as aluminum, and may be bonded adhesively to the
surface of the candleholder by conventional means, or may be
otherwise held in position.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the melting plate candle
assembly of FIG. 5, showing the candleholder 100, the melting plate
104, and a fuel element 105, including a wick holder 106, such as a
wick clip assembly, and a fuel charge 108, in a preselected
operative position. The candleholder 100 may be of any material,
such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or other material
suitable for the intended use. The melting plate 104 constitutes a
bottom wall 110 having a bowl like structure secured in place in
the candleholder 100, such as with adhesive 112. The melting plate
104 may have a decorative design embossed, printed, engraved,
etched, or carved into the surface thereof. At or near the center
of the melting plate 104, and thus the candleholder 100, a raised
capillary pedestal 102 is positioned to engage the wick holder 106.
The wick holder 106 includes means, such as a wick receiver 114, to
hold and position a wick 116 in an appropriate position and
location above the capillary pedestal 102 to contact liquid fuel in
a capillary space 118 between the wick holder and the capillary
pedestal. A magnet 120 is positioned beneath the capillary pedestal
102 and held to the bottom of the melting plate 104, such as with
adhesive. In another embodiment, the magnet 120 is positioned,
either loosely or adhesively or otherwise held, upon the surface of
the candleholder 100 beneath the capillary pedestal 102. The wick
holder 106 is positioned over the capillary pedestal 102 so as to
engage the capillary pedestal and to provide a capillary flow of
liquid fuel, such as melted wax, to a base end of the wick 116. To
provide retention of the wick holder 106 on the capillary pedestal
102, the wick holder encompasses one or more magnetic metal inserts
122, such as rivets, to engage the magnetic force of the magnet 120
located below the pedestal. The magnetic metal inserts 122 may be
of any material that is attracted magnetically to the magnet 120
and may alternatively constitute metal screws, rivets, clips, etc.
The fuel charge 108 of the fuel element 105 is positioned so as to
cooperatively engage both the melting plate 104 and the wick holder
106.
Industrial Applicability
[0032] The melting plate candle assembly and heat conductive
element candles of the present invention, utilizing a capillary
pedestal and correspondingly shaped wick holder, can be used in
connection with a large variety of both solid and liquid fuels. The
conductive materials of which the melting plate and heat fins may
be constructed are commonly available, and the various
configurations are readily produced. There is considerable interest
for candles having extended bum times, and for refillable candles
or solid fuel lamps, particularly for melting plate candles which
are resistant to accidental release of the wick holder assembly. In
addition, a solid fuel charge carrying a volatile active is quickly
melted on the melting plate to begin rapid disbursement of the
active volatile to the surrounding atmosphere. The capillary lobe
construction allows for complete or nearly complete consumption of
the fuel charge while the peaked apex thereof ensures or promotes
proper positioning of the complementary fuel element thereon to
take advantage of the benefits of the melting plate candle
assembly.
[0033] Features of the melting plates and fuel elements of the
present invention may also be incorporated into candle assemblies
such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,780,382 and 6,802,707,
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/939,039, 10/978,646,
10/938,453, and 11/012,707, and the U.S. patent application by
Kubicek et al., filed May 6, 2005, entitled "Candle Assembly and
Wick Holder with Improved Capillary Well for Ensuring Sustainable
Relight," all of which are incorporated by reference in the
entireties thereof herein.
[0034] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing
description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as
illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling
those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach
the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all
modifications within the scope of the impending claims are
reserved.
* * * * *