U.S. patent application number 11/485585 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for candle assembly with light emitting system.
Invention is credited to Mary Beth Adams, Rene Maurice Beland, Paul E. Furner, William R. Kissner, Chris A. Kubicek, Cory J. Nelson, Jose Porchia.
Application Number | 20070020573 11/485585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37909519 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070020573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furner; Paul E. ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Candle assembly with light emitting system
Abstract
A candle assembly includes a support base with a melting plate
upon which a meltable solid fuel rests and a wick holder to hold a
wick and engage the meltable solid fuel. The candle assembly
further includes a control unit having at least one electrical
component to control a light emitting system.
Inventors: |
Furner; Paul E.; (Racine,
WI) ; Adams; Mary Beth; (Antioch, IL) ;
Kissner; William R.; (Muskego, WI) ; Kubicek; Chris
A.; (East Troy, WI) ; Nelson; Cory J.;
(Racine, WI) ; Porchia; Jose; (Greenfield, WI)
; Beland; Rene Maurice; (Waterford, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
37909519 |
Appl. No.: |
11/485585 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11355585 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
11485585 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
10780028 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
11355585 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
09747545 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
6445764 |
|
|
10780028 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
09468970 |
Dec 21, 1999 |
|
|
|
09747545 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
11140683 |
May 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
11485585 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
10780028 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
11140683 |
May 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
11140683 |
May 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
10938434 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
|
|
|
10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
11355585 |
|
|
|
|
10938453 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
|
|
|
11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
11123372 |
May 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
11124313 |
May 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
11123461 |
May 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
11291280 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
10978744 |
Nov 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
11123461 |
May 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
10938453 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
|
|
|
11485585 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
11096753 |
Mar 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
11355585 |
|
|
|
|
11185174 |
Jul 20, 2005 |
|
|
|
11355585 |
|
|
|
|
60754088 |
Dec 21, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/289 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
F21S 19/00 20130101; F23D 3/16 20130101; F21V 35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/289 |
International
Class: |
F23D 3/16 20060101
F23D003/16 |
Claims
1. A candle assembly, comprising: a support base comprising an
upwardly projecting capillary lobe, wherein the capillary lobe is
disposed within a recessed base portion of a wick holder, and
wherein a capillary space is defined between the capillary lobe and
the recessed base portion to allow capillary flow of melted fuel to
a wick from the support base; a light emitting system; and a
control unit to control the light emitting system.
2. The candle assembly of claim 1, wherein the capillary space is
defined between a downwardly extending skirt of the recessed base
portion and a wall of the capillary lobe.
3. The candle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
diffuser.
4. The candle assembly of claim 3, wherein the diffuser comprises a
surface geometric feature that enables securement of the diffuser
to the support base.
5. The candle assembly of claim 3, wherein the support base is
secured to the control unit by the diffuser.
6. The candle assembly of claim 3, wherein the diffuser is
positioned to interact with the light emitting system to at least
one of diffuse, disperse, or scatter light emitted from the light
emitting system.
7. The candle assembly of claim 1, wherein the light emitting
system comprises a multi-color LED.
8. The candle assembly of claim 7, wherein the light emitting
system comprises a tri-color LED.
9. A candle assembly, comprising: a support base comprising an
upwardly projecting capillary lobe, wherein the capillary lobe is
disposed within a recessed base portion of a wick holder, and
wherein a capillary space is defined between the capillary lobe and
the recessed base portion to allow capillary flow of melted fuel to
a wick from the support base; a light emitting device; and a
control unit to control the light emitting device, the control unit
comprising a power source, a battery reversal protection device, a
digital processing unit, and a control mechanism.
10. The candle assembly of claim 9, wherein the power source
comprises at least one of a battery or an electrical cord.
11. The candle assembly of claim 9, wherein the battery reversal
protection device protects the control unit from damage if the
battery is inserted into a battery holder in reverse
orientation.
12. The candle assembly of claim 9, wherein the digital processing
unit comprises at least one of a PWM generator, a lamp driver, a
pattern storage capacity, or a program storage capacity.
13. The candle assembly of claim 9, wherein the control unit
produces a light show.
14. The candle assembly of claim 13, wherein the control mechanism
allows a user to initiate, select, end, or pause the light
show.
15. The candle assembly of claim 13, wherein the light show
comprises an emission of a first color for a first period of time
and an emission of a second color for a second period of time.
16. The candle assembly of claim 9, wherein the light emitting
device comprises a tri-color LED.
17. A candle assembly, comprising: a support base comprising an
upwardly projecting capillary lobe, wherein the capillary lobe is
disposed within a recessed base portion of a wick holder, and
wherein a capillary space is defined between the capillary lobe and
the recessed base portion to allow capillary flow of melted fuel to
a wick from the support base; a diffuser comprising a surface
geometric feature that enables securement of the diffuser to the
support base; and a control unit comprising a battery, a battery
reversal protection device, a digital processing unit, a control
mechanism, and a tri-color LED, wherein activation of the control
mechanism at least one of initiates, selects, ends, or pauses a
light show encoded by the digital processing unit and emitted from
the tri-color LED.
18. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the diffuser is
secured to the control unit by a flange.
19. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the support base is
secured to the diffuser by an adhesive.
20. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the light show
comprises an emission of a first color for a first period of time
and an emission of a second color for a second period of time.
21. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the digital processing
unit encodes a plurality of different light shows.
22. The candle assembly of claim 17, wherein the light show
comprises at least one of a repeated cycle or a random pattern.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/355,585, filed Feb. 16, 2006, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/780,028, filed Feb. 17, 2004, which is continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/747,545, filed Dec. 20, 2000,
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,707, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/468,970, filed Dec. 21, 1999.
This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/140,683, filed May 31, 2005, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/780,028, filed Feb. 17, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/978,744, filed Nov. 1, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/938,434, filed Sep. 10,
2004. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/291,280, filed Dec. 1, 2005, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/938,453, filed Sep. 10, 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/123,372, filed May 6, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/124,313, filed May 6, 2005, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/123,461, filed May 6, 2005, which are continuations-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/978,744, filed Nov. 1, 2004.
This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/938,453, filed Sep. 10, 2004. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/096,753, filed Mar. 31, 2005. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/185,174, filed Jul. 20, 2005. This
application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application
Ser. No. 60/754,088, filed Dec. 21, 2005. This application claims
the benefit of all such previous applications, and such
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Technical Field
[0005] The present invention relates generally to wick-holder
assemblies, and more particularly to wick-holder assemblies having
a light show.
[0006] 2. Background
[0007] Many different multi-sensory candle assemblies that emit
sound and/or light are known. In one instance, a candle assembly
has a wicked candle disposed inside a cylindrical container having
a recessed stepped ring encircling an open top end thereof. A
circular shade body fits within the open top end and has an outer
peripheral flange that rests on the recessed stepped ring.
[0008] In another instance, a candleholder has a standard for
receiving a candlestick, which extends from a base of the
candleholder. The standard has a socket with an out-turned flange
at an upper end thereof for receiving the candlestick therein. A
funneled split tube is disposed in the socket. The split tube has
an out-turned peripheral flange that rests on the out-turned flange
of the socket. A cap spans the out-turned flange of the socket and
rests on a peripheral edge thereof spaced above the split tube.
[0009] An electric candle is known that has a hollow cylindrical
body portion extending up from a mounting base. A votive candle is
carried within an open upper end of the body portion by a bracket
having a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from a
central frustoconical rim. The votive is carried inside the rim,
and the peripheral edges of the arms rest on a recessed inner
annular rim at the open upper end of the body portion.
[0010] In some instances, a candle has a constant elevation flame
with a wax body contained within a tubular outer casing. A spring
urges the wax body upwardly toward a wick carried over an open end
of the outer casing by a thermally-insulated cover. The wick
extends through a central aperture in the cover and is retained at
a constant elevational position by a wire. An outturned peripheral
lip of the cover rests in a peripheral recess in the tubular
casing.
[0011] In one instance, a decorated luminary product has a candle
or candleholder containing a candle. The luminary product has a
decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer conforming to the shape
of the luminary product. The web is decorated with a
thermochromatic ink or pigmentation that reacts to heat generated
by burning a candle to provide a visual effect when the candle is
burned.
[0012] In other instances, a melody candle has an optical fiber
embedded in the candle in parallel with a wick. The optical fiber
is connected to a photo sensor that controls a melody-producing
unit, such that when the candle is lit, light is transferred
through the optical fiber to the photo sensor, which causes a
melody to be played. The optical fiber is coated with a dark
colored color change pigment that prevents ambient light transfer
to the photo sensor when the candle is not lit. Upon lighting of
the wick, heat from the lit wick causes the color change pigment to
become transparent allowing light to travel down the optical fiber
to activate the melody-producing unit to initiate a melody.
[0013] Another melodic candle assembly has a candle with a wick
axially disposed therewithin and a thermoresponsive, piezoelectric
strip disposed alongside the wick. When the wick is lit, heat from
a flame translated by the thermoresponsive strip initiates a
melody, song, or vocal rendition by activating electronics in the
candle base.
[0014] Still another melody-producing candle has an embedded
integrated circuit that produces music. A fiber optic strand
transfers light from a lit wick to a light sensor operatively
connected to the integrated circuit. The candle further includes a
light reflector that adjusts the sensitivity of the light sensor to
light transferred to the sensor via the fiber optic strand.
[0015] A further melody candle assembly has a candle with one or
more recesses on a bottom surface and a wick with a lower end
extending to a bottom surface of the candle. The candle also has an
optical fiber embedded axially therein. The candle assembly further
also has a candlestick element with a top surface provided with one
or more apertures and a center hole into which the wick extends.
The candle assembly has a melody reproducing unit and a photosensor
fitted in the center hole opposite of the lower end of the wick to
sense light from the wick to prepare the melody producing unit for
operation.
[0016] Another melody candle uses a color change pigment to coat an
optical fiber that stays in black-like colors to shield light at
normal states and gets changed to transparent colors at a time of
the application of heat when the candle is burnt.
[0017] In another instance, a candle device has a flame-responsive
circuit adapted to respond to a flame source and a receiver circuit
configured to respond to a radio-frequency signal. The
flame-responsive circuit and receiver circuit are coupled to an
electronic playback device, an electromechanical device, or a light
source device.
[0018] A further candle device has a candle body housed within a
container having a bottom and a compartment formed at the bottom to
contain a music generator that has an integrated circuit. The
integrated circuit is controlled by switching means that trigger
the integrated circuit in response to the presence of a candle
flame on a lit wick of the candle. The switching means has a fiber
optic member combined with a photosensitive resistor, a thermally
conducting wire combined with a thermo-sensitive resistor, or a
thermally conducting wire combined with an infrared resistor. The
infrared resistor detects infrared radiation emitted by the heated
wire.
[0019] A color-changing candle has a fiber optic strand embedded
adjacent to and in parallel with a wick in a candle body. The fiber
optic is operatively connected to electronics embedded within the
candle body. In response to detecting light channeled from the
fiber optic strand, the electronics activate one or more light
emitting diodes that change the color of the candle body to that of
the color of the one or more lit light emitting diodes.
[0020] In yet other instances, a candle contains an optical guide,
such as a fiber optic cable, within a wick axially is disposed
within a candle body. The optical guide is coupled to a music
producing electronic circuit, such that when the candle is lit,
candlelight transferred along the optical guide triggers the
playing of a musical tune.
[0021] In other instances, a candle has a candle flame extinguisher
assembly that functions to extinguish a candle flame once the
candle has burned a sufficient amount of wax to trigger a
magnet-based mechanism. The magnet-based candle flame extinguisher
mechanism has a candle that has a wick holder and a first magnet
having a first polarity. The candle is disposed over a second
magnet that has a second polarity and is disposed beneath the
candle. The first and second magnets are positioned such that the
first polarity of the first magnet is repelled by the second
polarity of the second magnet. However, the weight of the candle is
sufficient initially to overcome the repulsion force of the first
and second magnets allowing the candle to remain in an upright
position. Upon sufficient melting of the candle, a pool of melted
wax is formed. After an amount of wax is consumed, the repelling
force between the magnets overcomes the weight of the candle and
causes the candle to be tipped over into the pool of melted wax
thereby extinguishing the flame.
[0022] In other instances, a candle support structure is designed
to prevent a candle from being overturned by vibration of an
earthquake or the like. The structure appears to consist of a
thimble-like device that fits into a hole in the base of a
conventional wax-bodied candle body. The thimble and candle are
received upon a receiving body. The position on the receiving body
where the thimble and candle are received has a permanent magnet
embedded therein flush with what appears to be a dish-like
structure, presumably to catch candle wax drippings from a burning
candle. The candle is designed with a hole in its base for first
receiving the thimble therein, but additionally for preventing the
candle from overheating the thimble and permanent magnet
thereunder.
[0023] In yet another instance, a magnetic candleholder assembly
has a candleholder with a magnet adhered to a base thereof.
Further, the assembly has a spiked disk comprising magnetic
material. The disk is inserted into the base of a conventional
wax-type candle, and the disk and candle are placed atop the
magnet. The magnetic attractive force between the magnet adhered to
the candleholder and the magnetic material-comprised disk inserted
into the base of the candle secures the candle to the
candleholder.
[0024] A lighted display device has a base that incorporates three
light emitting diodes that together can emit color in the visible
spectrum and selectively illuminate a translucent article disposed
on the display device. The diodes are positioned below an upper
surface of the base and within a centrally located light passage
disposed in the base. A translucent article support is removably
placed atop the upper surface of the base to further diffuse and
distribute the light emitted by the LEDs. The translucent article
support may be a flat sheet of translucent material or a candle
holder.
[0025] In yet further instances, a candlestick element has at least
two apertures spaced apart and a center hole to which the lower end
of an optical fiber is extended and a melody producing unit with
switch knobs movably protruded over respective apertures formed at
the top portion of the candlestick element.
SUMMARY
[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a candle
assembly has a support base a support base with an upwardly
projecting capillary lobe. The capillary lobe is disposed within a
recessed base portion of a wick holder. A capillary space is
defined between the capillary lobe and the recessed base portion to
allow capillary flow of melted fuel to a wick from the support
base. The candle assembly further includes a light emitting system
and a control unit to control the light emitting system.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
candle assembly has a support base with an upwardly projecting
capillary lobe. The capillary lobe is disposed within a recessed
base portion of a wick holder. A capillary space is defined between
the capillary lobe and the recessed base portion to allow capillary
flow of melted fuel to a wick from the support base. The candle
assembly further includes a light emitting device and a control
unit to control the light emitting device. The control unit
includes a power source, a battery reversal protection device, a
digital processing unit, and a control mechanism.
[0028] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
candle assembly has a support base with an upwardly projecting
capillary lobe. The capillary lobe is disposed within a recessed
base portion of a wick holder. A gap is defined between the
capillary lobe and the recessed base portion to allow capillary
flow of melted fuel to a wick from the support base. The candle
assembly further includes a diffuser with a surface geometric
feature that enables securement of the diffuser to the support
base. The candle assembly also has a control unit with a battery, a
battery reversal protection device, a digital processing unit, a
control mechanism, and a tri-color LED. Activation of the control
mechanism at least one of initiates, selects, ends, or pauses a
light show encoded by the digital processing unit and emitted from
the tri-color LED.
[0029] Other aspects and advantages of will become apparent upon
consideration of the figures and the following detailed
description, wherein like reference numbers in the various drawings
designate like structure in various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment
of a candle assembly;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a wick holder shown
in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel element along the
line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view generally transverse to
line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the candle assembly in assembled form;
[0034] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view along the
line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0035] FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of a wick holder and a
portion of a melting plate according to another embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of still another wick holder
according to yet another embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wick
holder shown in FIG. 7 in a similar view as shown in FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a candle assembly according
to another embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of a candle assembly
according to yet another embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the candle
assembly of FIG. 10 along a vertical plane at a centerline
thereof;
[0041] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a
candle assembly incorporating sound and/or light features;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the candle assembly of
FIG. 12;
[0043] FIG. 14 is an exploded isometric view of various portions of
the candle assembly of FIG. 12 illustrating upper, front, and
right-hand surfaces thereof;
[0044] FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view of the control unit
and diffuser of the candle assembly of FIG. 12 illustrating upper,
front, and right-hand surfaces thereof;
[0045] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the diffuser of FIG. 12
taken from below;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a bottom elevational view of the diffuser of FIG.
12;
[0047] FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view of the control unit
and diffuser of the candle assembly of FIG. 12 illustrating upper,
front, and left-hand surfaces thereof;
[0048] FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of portions of the
control unit of the candle assembly of FIG. 12 taken from below and
illustrating lower, rear, and left-hand surfaces thereof;
[0049] FIG. 20 is an enlarged isometric view of the control unit
housing and various components of the control unit of FIGS. 18 and
19 taken from above and illustrating upper, rear, and left-hand
surfaces thereof;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a plan view of the control unit of FIG. 20;
[0051] FIG. 22 is an enlarged isometric view of a further
embodiment of a candle assembly incorporating a light feature;
[0052] FIG. 23 is an exploded isometric view of various portions of
the candle assembly of FIG. 22 illustrating upper, front, and
right-hand surfaces thereof;
[0053] FIG. 26 is an exploded isometric view of various portions of
the candle assembly of FIG. 22 illustrating upper, front, and
left-hand surfaces thereof;
[0054] FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the diffuser of FIG. 22
taken from below;
[0055] FIG. 28 is an enlarged isometric view of the control unit of
FIG. 22 taken from below;
[0056] FIG. 28A is an exploded isometric view of the control unit
of FIG. 22 taken from below;
[0057] FIG. 29 is an enlarged isometric view of the control unit of
FIGS. 22 and components thereof taken from below;
[0058] FIG. 30 is an exploded isometric view of various portions of
the candle assembly of FIG. 22;
[0059] FIG. 31 is a plan view of the control unit of FIG. 22;
[0060] FIG. 32 is an enlarged exploded view of the control unit of
FIG. 22;
[0061] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a
candle assembly incorporating a light or sound feature;
[0062] FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the candle assembly of
FIG. 31;
[0063] FIG. 33 is a plan view of a candle assembly according to
another embodiment;
[0064] FIG. 34 is a plan view of a candle assembly according to
another embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 35 is a plan view of a candle assembly according to
another embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
candle assembly along the line 36-36 of FIG. 33;
[0067] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
candle assembly along the line 37-37 of FIG. 34;
[0068] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a
candle assembly along the line 38-38 of FIG. 35;
[0069] FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
a candle assembly;
[0070] FIG. 39 is an elevated cross-sectional view of a candle
assembly according to another embodiment incorporating a heat
sensor;
[0071] FIG. 40 is an elevated cross-sectional view of a candle
assembly according to another embodiment incorporating a Hall
effect sensor;
[0072] FIG. 41 candle is another elevated cross-sectional view of a
candle assembly according to another embodiment incorporating a
heat sensor;
[0073] FIG. 42 is another cross-sectional view of a candle assembly
according to another embodiment incorporating a thermochromatic
label;
[0074] FIG. 43 is another elevated cross-sectional view of a candle
assembly according to another embodiment incorporating a magnet or
ferrous material disposed between the diffuser and the
candleholder;
[0075] FIG. 44 is another cross-sectional view of a candle assembly
according to another embodiment incorporating an electronic
communication link in the control unit;
[0076] FIG. 45 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the LEDs and speaker of FIGS. 14, 15, and
18-21;
[0077] FIG. 46 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the LEDs and speaker of a candle assembly
according to an embodiment incorporating a light and/or heat
sensor;
[0078] FIG. 47 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the LEDs and speaker of a candle assembly
according to an embodiment incorporating an audio detecting
regulatory sensor;
[0079] FIG. 48 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the LEDs and speaker of a candle assembly
according to an embodiment incorporating a light sensor and a
thermochromatic strip;
[0080] FIG. 49 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the LEDs and speaker of a candle assembly
according to an embodiment incorporating an electronic
communication link;
[0081] FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating programming executed by
the processor of FIG. 45;
[0082] FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating programming executed by
the processor of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 35-40;
[0083] FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating programming executed by
the processor of the embodiment incorporating an audio detecting
sensor;
[0084] FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating programming executed by
the processor of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 42-45;
[0085] FIG. 54 is another elevated cross-sectional view of a candle
assembly according to another embodiment utilizing a Hall effect
sensor as a communication link to electrical components within the
control unit;
[0086] FIG. 55 is an isometric view of a candle assembly according
to yet another embodiment;
[0087] FIG. 56 is a plan view of the candle assembly of FIG.
55;
[0088] FIG. 57 is a bottom elevational view of the candle assembly
of FIG. 55;
[0089] FIG. 58 is an exploded isometric view of the candle assembly
of FIG. 55;
[0090] FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the candle assembly of
FIG. 55 taken generally along lines 59-59 of FIG. 55; and
[0091] FIG. 60 is a simplified block and schematic diagram of a
circuit for operating the candle assembly according to FIGS.
55-59.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a candle assembly 100 includes a
support base 102, a melting plate 104, a wick holder 106, a wick
108, and a fuel element 110. The support base 102 carries the
melting plate 104, which is generally saucer shaped, and includes a
centrally disposed capillary pedestal 112. Optional decorative
etchings 114 are disposed on an upper exposed surface of the
melting plate 104 to provide enhanced attractiveness or visual
information. The wick holder 106 includes a base portion 116 that
fits over the capillary pedestal 112, a wick retainer sleeve in the
shape of an elongate cylindrical barrel 118, and heat conductive
elements, such as fins 120. The barrel 118 receives the wick 108
therein such that the wick extends from the base portion 116 with a
portion of the wick exposed above the barrel. The fuel element 110
is disposed over and around the wick holder 106 and includes a duct
or slot 122 through which the wick 108 extends. The slot 122 has a
width w.sub.1 sufficient to allow the wick 108 to extend through
the slot and a length l.sub.1 sufficient to accept at least a
portion of the fins 120 therethrough. In one embodiment, the fuel
element 110 has a mass of wax approximately 15 grams, and the
melting plate candle 100 bums continuously between about 3 and
about 31/2 hours on a single fuel element, such as the wax fuel
element 110, before the fuel is completely consumed.
[0093] As seen in FIG. 2, the base portion 116 of the wick holder
106 includes an end plate 124 encompassed by a generally conical
base skirt 126, and an upper portion including the barrel 118
extending upwardly from the base skirt and the fins 120 extending
from the barrel and end plate 124. The base portion 116 is adapted
to fit closely over and around the capillary pedestal 112 such that
the barrel 118 is maintained in an upright, or substantially
vertical, orientation when placed on the capillary pedestal. The
base skirt 126 includes indentations or spacers 128, and holes 130
extend through the end plate 124. Ferromagnetic structures, such as
steel rivets 132 or magnets (not shown), are secured to the base
portion 116, such as through the holes 130, so that the wick holder
106 may be releasably secured over the capillary pedestal 130 by
magnetic forces. The barrel 118 is sized to receive the wick 108
with either a close fit or interference fit so as to retain the
wick therein and defines an opening 134 in the end plate 124 such
that the wick can extend through the end plate. The fins 120 extend
laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the barrel 118 and extend
upwardly above the barrel. In one embodiment, the fins 120 are
shaped to simulate a flame outline. In other embodiments, the fins
120 may have square, circular, oval, triangular, or other
non-geometric shapes, and in still other embodiments, the fins 120
may have insulated areas (not shown) as described more fully in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/939,039, filed Sep. 10, 2004,
and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The fins 120
are relatively thin strips of heat conductive material, such as
metal, for transmitting heat from a flame burning on the wick 108
outwardly toward the fuel element 110. In one embodiment, the wick
holder 106 is formed from a single sheet of aluminum that is cut
and folded about a fold 136 and thereby forming a capillary space
138 between opposite sides 140 and 142 and channels or gaps 144 in
the base skirt 126. In other embodiments, the wick holder 106 may
be formed by other methods from other heat resistant materials,
such as ceramic, other metals, heat resistant plastics, etc. If the
wick holder 106 is formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as
steel, the steel rivets 132 may optionally be omitted. The two
sides 140 and 142 are secured together by any convenient means,
such as with rivets 146 through holes 148 in the heat fins 120,
welds, clips, heat resistant adhesives, etc. The gaps 144 and the
holes 130 allow melted fuel material from the fuel element 110, to
drip or seep underneath the base skirt 126, and the capillary space
138 allows melted fuel material to traverse up the fins 120 by
capillary action and thereby provide a source of fuel material in
non-consumable wick areas 150. An example of such capillary action
is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/938,453, filed
Sep. 10, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0094] As seen in detail in FIG. 3, the fuel element 110 includes a
body 152 of fuel material and has an upper surface 154 and a lower
surface 156. The fuel element 110 in one embodiment is a wax puck
and in other embodiments may have other shapes and include other
meltable or flowable fuel materials, such as paraffin or animal
fat, having a solid or semi-solid state or otherwise maintainable
in a fixed form at room temperature. The lower surface 156 of the
fuel element 110 defines a cavity 158 having an upper cavity wall
160 shaped to conform closely to the base portion 116 of the wick
holder 106. The slot 122 extends from the upper surface 154 to the
cavity wall 160 and has a width w.sub.1 at the upper surface that
is smaller than a width w.sub.2 at the cavity wall. The width
w.sub.1 is adapted to prevent melted wax from the fuel element 110
from falling or trickling down the slot 122 without engaging the
wick 108, or put another way, the width w.sub.1 is narrow enough to
ensure that melted fuel material from near the upper portion of the
slot 122 will engage the wick 108 as it falls or trickles down the
slot. In one embodiment, w.sub.1 is not more than approximately
0.02 inch (0.5 mm) larger than a diameter of the wick at an upper
end of the slot 122. In another embodiment, w.sub.1 is
approximately the same as a diameter of the wick 108. In yet
another embodiment, the width w.sub.1 is less than a width of the
wick 108 so that an interference fit exists between the wick and
the body 152 at the upper end of the slot 122. In a further
embodiment, the width w.sub.1 is less than or equal to
approximately 0.12 inch (3 mm), and the wick 108 has a diameter of
approximately 0.1 inch (2.5 mm). In yet a further embodiment (not
shown), the slot 122 may have a width that is initially more than
about 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) larger than a diameter of the wick 108 to
allow for easy insertion of the wick 108 and wick holder 106 into
the slot 122, and the slot is filled subsequently with additional
fuel material in a second manufacturing step so that the width
w.sub.1 is less than about 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) larger than the
diameter of the wick.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 4, the support base 102 carries the melting
plate 104 within an upper chamber 162, which is generally
bowl-shaped. The melting plate 104 in one embodiment is secured to
a sidewall 164 of the upper chamber 162 with adhesive 166 thereby
providing an empty air space 168 between the melting plate and an
intermediate wall 170 of the support base 102. The air space 168
provides additional insulation between the melting plate and the
support base 102 to reduce heat loss through the melting plate to
the support base. In another embodiment (not shown) the melting
plate 104 is adjacent to the intermediate wall 170 with adhesive
166 placed therebetween such that no air space 168 is disposed
between melting plate and the intermediate wall. Of course, other
arrangements and support configurations for the melting plate 104
are also suitable for supporting the melting plate 104.
[0096] In one embodiment of the fuel element 110, the slot 122 has
a length l.sub.1 in the upper surface 154 that is longer than a
length l.sub.2 in the lower surface 156. The length l.sub.1 is
shorter than a largest width w.sub.f of the fins 120 and the length
l.sub.2 is longer than the largest width w.sub.f of the heat fins.
Such a configuration of the slot lengths l.sub.1 and l.sub.2 in
relation to w.sub.f, in addition to the slot widths w.sub.1 and
w.sub.2 as described herein above, facilitates inserting the wick
holder 106 fully into the slot from the lower surface 156. Such
configuration of the slot 122 and cavity 158 also prevents the slot
from fully receiving the wick holder if the fins 120 are inserted
into the slot through the upper surface 154 rather than through the
lower surface 156, thereby preventing or discouraging improper
assembly of the fuel element 110 and the wick holder 106.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a portion of the melting plate
104, capillary pedestal 112, wick holder 106, fuel element 110, and
wick 108 are shown assembled and ready for use or initial ignition
by a user. In one embodiment, the capillary pedestal 112 includes
an inclined sidewall 172 having an annular groove 174 extending
therearound in a medial position between a floor 176 of the melting
plate 104 and a top wall 178 of the capillary pedestal. A magnet
180 is secured to an underside of the top wall 166 with adhesive
182. In another embodiment, the magnet 180 may be disposed on an
upper side of the top wall 178 or at another location sufficient to
attract the wick holder 106. The spacers 128 are adapted to seat in
the annular groove 174 to provide a capillary space 184 between the
base skirt 126 and the inclined sidewall 172 sized to facilitate
capillary movement of melted or liquid fuel material toward the
wick 108. The spacers 128 also help retain the wick holder 106 on
the capillary pedestal 112 by seating in the annular groove 174. In
addition, the steel rivet 132 in the wick holder 106 is attracted
to the magnet 186 when placed over the capillary pedestal 112 and
thereby prevents the wick holder from accidentally falling or
slipping off of the capillary pedestal. When placed on an underside
of the end plate 124, the steel rivets 132 also act as spacers to
help maintain the capillary space 184. In another embodiment,
magnets 186 may be secured to the end plate 124 by any convenient
means, such as with an adhesive or by a rivet, in order to maintain
the wick clip 106 in position on the capillary pedestal 112. The
cavity wall 160 of the fuel element 110 is shaped to closely fit
around the base skirt 126 and barrel 118 of the wick holder 106 and
rest on the floor 176 of the melting plate 104 in order to minimize
open space 188 between the fuel element and the wick 108, the wick
holder 106, and the melting plate floor 176. Minimizing the open
space 188 increases the likelihood of having melted fuel material
(not shown) being fed directly to the wick 108 rather than falling
downwardly to the floor 176 or accumulating in the open space and
thereby potentially starving the wick of liquid or melted fuel
material while burning. However, as the melted fuel material
accumulates about the base of the capillary pedestal 112, whether
due to melting from the melting plate 104 or from direct melting by
a flame 109 on the wick 108, the melted fuel material is drawn
upwardly along the capillary space 184 by capillary action toward
the non-consumable wick areas 150 while the candle is burning. The
wick 108 in one embodiment extends through the open end 134 of the
barrel 118 to touch or nearly touch the top wall 178 of the
capillary pedestal 112 so that liquid fuel material drawn up the
capillary space 184 will engage the wick 108 and be drawn upwardly
therein for eventual burning by a flame burning atop the wick. The
wick barrel 118 has an inside diameter sufficient to receive the
wick 108. The inside diameter of the barrel 118 may be larger,
smaller, or the same as the diameter of the wick and may be uniform
or have different diameters along a length thereof. In one
embodiment, the inside diameter of the barrel 118 is larger than
the diameter of the wick 108 so that the wick may be easily
inserted into the barrel. In another embodiment, the inside
diameter of the barrel 118 is uniformly approximately 0.012 inch
(0.3 mm) larger than the diameter of the wick 108. In yet other
embodiments, the inside diameter of the barrel 118 is the same size
as or smaller than the wick 108. Melted fuel material can seep into
the capillary space 184 through the weep holes 130 and thereby
prime or facilitate capillary action upward through the capillary
space 184. Melted fuel material may also be drawn upwardly in the
capillary space 138 between opposing sides 140, 142 of the fins 120
and drawn to the non-combustible wick areas 150 where the melted
fuel material is vaporized and ignited by a flame on the wick
108.
[0098] Turning now to FIG. 6, another wick holder 200 and melting
plate 202 are shown that are similar to the wick holder 106 and
melting plate 104 shown in FIGS. 1-5, except that a capillary
pedestal 204 includes a smooth inclined sidewall 206 without the
annular groove 174, and the wick holder 200 does not include the
spacers 128 in the base skirt 126. A capillary space (not shown),
similar to 184, is maintained between the base skirt 126 and the
sidewall 206 by steel rivets 132 protruding below an end wall, such
as 124, of a base portion 116 of the wick holder 200. In this
embodiment, the wick holder 200 is maintained on the capillary
pedestal 204 substantially by the attraction between the steel
rivets 132 and magnet 180 (not shown in FIG. 6) in the capillary
pedestal and any weight of the fuel element 110.
[0099] Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, a wick holder 300 of another
embodiment for use in a candle assembly, such as 100, is similar to
the wick holder 106 (or 200) except that the wick holder 300 also
includes a medial portion of the barrel 118 having a
cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of
any other portion of the wick barrel. An indentation 302 in a
sidewall 304 of the barrel 118 defines a constricted portion 306 of
the barrel located or disposed intermediate opposite ends 308 and
310 of the barrel and having a cross-sectional area less than any
other portion of the barrel. The wick 108 extends through the
barrel 118 such that a portion or end of the wick adapted to absorb
fuel material 311 (when in a melted or otherwise fluid state)
extends downwardly through the end 310 and another portion or end
of the wick adapted for ignition extends upwardly through end 308.
The constricted portion 306 reduces an effective wick
cross-sectional area, and thereby may reduce or restrict a
capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the first open
end and the second open end. The restricted flow capacity, and
subsequently reduced volume flow rate, of the fluid fuel material
311 up the wick 108 from the end 310 toward a flame region above
the end 308, in turn may reduce the fuel material burn rate and
extend the life of the fuel element 110. Because the constricted
portion 306 having a larger cross-sectional area allows a faster
volume flow rate, or increased capillary fluid flow capacity, than
a constricted portion having a smaller cross-sectional area, the
capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick 108 may be substantially
reduced by reducing the cross-sectional area of the constricted
portion. Such a constriction on the flow rate of fluid fuel
material 311 upwardly along the wick 108 past the constricted
portion 306 is enhanced when the sidewall 304 is substantially
liquid impervious (for example, does not allow the fluid fuel
material to pass therethrough to the wick 108) which thereby
restricts the flow of the fluid fuel material into the wick through
the end 310 located in the end plate 124 or above the end 308 of
the barrel 118. The indentation 302 may also help maintain the wick
108 in a predetermined position within the barrel 118 such that,
for example, an end portion of the wick extends through or to the
end 310 in order to prevent the wick from being pulled out of the
barrel and thus potentially losing contact with the flow of the
fluid fuel material 311 toward the wick through the capillary space
184 and weep holes 130.
[0100] Other variations and embodiments of the candle assembly and
wick holder 300 described in detail herein are also specifically
contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the barrel 118 may
take the form of a sleeve having a cylindrical shape or a tubular
shape having other cross-sectional areas and shapes. In another
embodiment, the constricted portion 306 in the barrel 118 is formed
by an inner annular ridge (not shown), which may be formed by
indenting or crimping the sidewall 304 entirely around the wick
barrel 118 or by an inner annular shoulder disposed on an inner
surface of the sidewall 304. The constricted portion 306 in another
embodiment may be formed by a single indentation 302 or by a
plurality of indentations, which may be either in opposing
relationship or offset from each other. In another embodiment (not
shown) the barrel 118 may have form of a wick casing that is not
generally tubular, but rather includes a longitudinally curved
sidewall that encases a portion of the wick 108 and has first and
second openings in the sidewall through which the wick extends.
[0101] According to another aspect, which is shown in FIG. 8 but
which is also applicable to any combination of any of the wick
holders and any of the capillary pedestals described herein, the
capillary space 184 defines a volume, or capillary well 350,
between the base portion 116 of the wick holder 300 and the
capillary pedestal 204. The capillary well 350 has dimensions that
are preselected to promote a successful sustained relight of the
wick 108 after a pool 352 (shown in dashed lines) of the fuel
material 311 (such as wax or other meltable fuel) has been formed
in melting plate 202 around the peripheral skirt 126 and capillary
pedestal 204 and then allowed to solidify. During a sustained bum,
a fluid portion of the fuel material 311 from the pool 352 is drawn
into the capillary well 350 and up to the wick 108 by capillary
action to feed a flame 354 at wick 108. If the flame 354 is
extinguished prior to consuming the entire fuel element 110, the
pool 352 of fuel material 311 solidifies and extends across the
bottom of the melting plate 202, through the capillary well 350,
and into the wick 108. In one embodiment, when the wick 108 is
re-lit after the pool 352 of fuel material 311 has solidified, the
capillary space 184 is dimensioned such that a fluid supply of the
fuel material is quickly formed and available in the capillary well
350 to feed the flame 354 via the wick 108 until the fuel material
surrounding the peripheral skirt 126 has melted sufficiently to
provide a supply of liquefied fuel material to replace the fuel
material in the capillary well. For example, if the capillary space
184 is dimensioned too small, there may not be enough fuel material
in the capillary well 350 to sustain the flame 354 on the wick 108
during a sustained relight before the pool 352 of fuel material 311
surrounding the peripheral skirt 126 has melted enough to provide
additional liquefied fuel to the wick 108. Also, for example, if
the capillary space 184 is too large, heat transfer through the
solidified fuel material 311 in the capillary well 350 may be too
slow to melt enough of the fuel material therein to provide
liquefied fuel to the wick 108 before fuel material in the wick is
burned. Under either circumstance, the flame 354 may run out of
fuel and extinguish prior to melting a sufficient amount of the
fuel material 311 in the pool 352 to begin or sustain substantially
continuous capillary movement of the fluid fuel material from
outside of the capillary space 184, into the capillary well 350,
and up the wick 108 to feed the flame 354. Therefore, to assist in
a successful sustained relight of the wick 108 in one embodiment,
the capillary well 350 has a volume not less than a volume
sufficient to provide an amount of melted fuel to the relit wick
108 until a sufficient amount of liquefied fuel is formed from the
pool 352 of solidified fuel material 311 adjacent to or surrounding
the peripheral skirt 126 to continuously feed the flame 354 by
capillary action through the capillary space 184. In another
embodiment, the volume of the capillary well 350 is not more than a
volume able to allow heat from the flame 354 to melt the solidified
fuel material 311 disposed in the capillary space 184 sufficiently
rapidly to feed the flame 354 after solidified fuel material 311
carried in the wick is burned.
[0102] In a further embodiment, a successful relight can be
achieved if the volume of the capillary well 350 is proportional to
a thermal mass of an entire candle assembly, such as 100, in order
to provide a sufficient source of melted fuel to the wick until the
pool 352 of solidified wax has melted sufficiently to provide an
adequate flow of fuel to the wick 108 to maintain a sustained bum
of the flame 354. The thermal mass of the candle assembly 100 is a
measure of the amount of energy needed to change the temperature of
the entire melting plate candle by a measured amount and is equal
to the sum of the products of the mass of each portion of the
candle assembly multiplied by the specific heat of that portion.
Illustratively, a successful relight may be achieved when the ratio
of the volume of the capillary well 350 to the thermal mass of the
entire candle assembly is between about 0.00006 cubic inches per
calorie per degree centigrade (hereinafter, in.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C.) (1 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.) and about 0.0006
in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (10 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.), or between
about 0.0001 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (2 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.)
and about 0.0004 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (6 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C.), or between about 0.00018 in.sup.3/cal/.degree. C. (3
mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.) and about 0.00024 in.sup.3/cal/.degree.
C. (4 mm.sup.3/cal/.degree. C.). Accordingly, in one embodiment,
the thermal mass of the candle assembly is between about 135
cal/.degree. C. and about 10 cal/.degree. C., or between about 75
cal/.degree. C. and about 40 cal/.degree. C., or between about 61
cal/.degree. C. and about 50 cal/.degree. C., and the volume of the
capillary well 350 is between about 0.006 in.sup.3 (100 mm.sup.3)
and about 0.03 in.sup.3 (500 mm.sup.3), or between about 0.009
in.sup.3 (150 mm.sup.3) and about 0.018 in.sup.3 (300 mm.sup.3), or
about 0.012 in.sup.3 (200 mm.sup.3).
[0103] For example, the thermal mass of an embodiment of a candle
assembly, such as 100, includes the support base 102, the melting
plate 202, and the wick holder 300 having a combined thermal mass
of about 50 cal/.degree. C. and the fuel element 110 of
approximately 0.53 oz. (15 g) of wax having a thermal mass of about
10.5 cal/.degree. C. before being burned. The capillary pedestal
204 has a generally frustoconical shape with a height h1 between
about 0.39 inches (10 mm) and about 0.04 inches (1 mm), or about
0.2 inches (5 mm), a bottom radius .PHI.1 between about 1.18 inches
(30 mm) and about 0.39 inches (10 mm), or about 0.83 inches (21
mm), and a top radius .PHI.2 between about 0.04 inches (1 mm) and
about 0.79 inches (20 mm), or about 0.43 inches (11 mm). The base
116 has a frustoconical shape generally complementary to the
capillary pedestal with the peripheral skirt 126 having an upper
diameter .PHI.3 of between about 0.08 inches (2 mm) and about 0.83
inches (21 mm), or between about 0.43 inches (11 mm) and about 0.55
inches (14 mm), or about 0.51 inches (13 mm); a bottom diameter
.PHI.4 between about 1.22 inches (31 mm) and about 0.43 inches (11
mm), or about 0.79 inches (20 mm) and about 0.91 inches (23 mm), or
about 0.87 inches (22 mm); a height h2 between about 0.43 inches
(11 mm) and about 0.08 inches (2 mm), or between about 0.28 inches
(7 mm) and about 0.16 inches (4 mm), or about 0.2 inches (5 mm);
and a height h3 of the rivets 132 from the end plate 124 of between
about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) and about 0.04 inches (1 mm), or
between about 0.03 inches (0.8 mm) and about 0.02 inches (0.5 mm),
or about 0.02 inches (0.6 mm). In another embodiment, the capillary
pedestal 204 has a height h1 about 0.18 inches (4.7 mm), a bottom
radius .PHI.1 about 0.81 inches (20.5 mm), a top radius .PHI.2
about 0.44 inches (11.1 mm), and the base 126 has a skirt 126
having an upper diameter .PHI.3 about 0.5 inches (12.6 mm), a
bottom diameter .PHI.4 about 0.85 inches (21.6 mm), and a height h2
about 0.2 inches (5.05 mm). When the base 116 is placed on top of
the capillary pedestal 204, the end plate 124 is a perpendicular
distance of about 0.03 inches (0.65 mm) from a top wall 178 of the
capillary pedestal, and the peripheral skirt 126 is perpendicular
distance of about 0.02 inches (0.38 mm) from the sidewall 206,
which defines a capillary well 350 having a volume of approximately
0.012 in.sup.3(200 mm.sup.3).
[0104] Turning now to FIG. 9, a melting plate candle assembly 400
according to another aspect is shown including a holder or base 402
and a generally concave melting plate 404 carried within a recessed
portion 406 of the base. A solid fuel element and wick holder
similar to those already described herein that rest on the melting
plate are not shown for purposes of clarity. The melting plate 404
has high thermal conductivity and is similar to other melting
plates described previously herein, including a capillary pedestal
408 protruding upwardly therefrom at a centrally disposed wick
location. The base 402 includes a wall 410 extending around and
angularly disposed outwardly at a zenith angle .theta. from the
melting plate 404 and having an uppermost or top edge 412 disposed
above the melting plate. In one aspect, the base 402 and the
melting plate 404 have a geometry that is adapted to increase or
promote substantially laminar air flow (when surrounded by a calm
atmospheric environment) over a pool of molten or liquefied fuel
when a flame is disposed in close proximity above the pool during a
burn, such as, for example, when a flame is present on a wick such
as the wick 108. Such laminar air flow controls the overall
temperature of the pool by reducing eddy currents over the pool
and/or reducing or minimizing localized hot spots in the pool,
which slows volatilization of active volatile ingredients in the
fuel, such as a fragrance or insecticide, and thereby extends an
effective fragrancing period of the fuel until the fuel is
completely burned. When all the fuel is liquefied in the pool
during the burn of the melting plate candle, air may be drawn in
substantially laminar flow over the top edge 412 of the wall 410
into the recessed portion 406, over the melting plate 404 and a
pool of liquefied fuel, such as melted wax, by a heat chimney, or
upward air currents, caused by a flame on a wick (not shown)
disposed over the capillary pedestal 408. The air currents
ascending up the heat chimney also distribute the volatilized
active ingredient into the surrounding environment.
[0105] In one embodiment, the base 402 and the melting plate 404
have a geometry to increase or promote substantially laminar air
flow described by the following equations: 20,000
mm.sup.2+(Pmin.sup.2-Pmax.sup.2).gtoreq.SA .gtoreq.2,500
mm.sup.2+(Pmax.sup.2Pmin .sup.2); 1. Dpmax.ltoreq.(SA/1,000
mm)+{[(Hmin+Pmin)/2]sin .theta.}; 2. Pmin.gtoreq.6(Dp)(cos
.theta.); and/or 3. Hmin.apprxeq.Pmin+2[R+(Dp-R)tan .theta.]; 4. in
which: [0106] Pmax is a maximum width across the melting plate 404
in mm; [0107] Pmin is a minimum width across the melting plate 404
in mm; [0108] SA is a projected surface area, or surface area of a
two-dimensional projection of an outline, of the melting plate 404
in square millimeters; [0109] Hmin is a minimum width of the base
402 at the top edge 412 in mm; [0110] Dp is a depth of the melting
plate 404 from the top edge 412 of the base 402 in mm; [0111] Dpmax
is a maximum value for Dp in mm; [0112] R is an outside radius of
the upper edge of the base 402 in mm; and [0113] .theta. is the
zenith angle of the wall 410 in degrees.
[0114] Equation 1 quantifies an approximate relationship of the
projected surface area of the melting plate and the width across
the melting plate, within upper and lower constant boundaries, to
promote the laminar air flow. Equation 2 quantifies an approximate
relationship of the projected surface area of the melting plate 404
and the depth of the melting plate 404 from the top edge 412 of the
base 402 to promote the laminar air flow. Equation 3 quantifies an
approximate relationship of the minimum melting plate across the
melting plate and the depth of the melting plate 404 from the top
edge 412 of the base 402 and the zenith angle of the base wall 410
to promote the laminar air flow. Equation 4 quantifies an
approximate minimum width of the base 402 at the top edge 412 as a
function of the geometries of the melting plate 404 and the base to
promote the laminar airflow. Although the equations 1-4 above have
been described in relation to a generally rectangular base and
holder, the relationships may also be used with other candle
assembly shapes, such as oval and circular, in order to approach an
optimized candle assembly geometry. For example, in one embodiment
comprising a circular base and melting plate, such as the base 102
and melting plate 104 shown in FIG. 4, Hmin is approximately 3.94
inches (100 mm), Pmax and Pmin are both equal to approximately 3.15
inches (80 mm), Dp is approximately 0.4 inch (10 mm), R is
approximately 0.08 inch (2 mm), and .theta. is approximately
45.degree..
[0115] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a candle assembly 500, which is
generally similar to the candle assembly 400 except that the candle
assembly 500 includes an alignment mechanism for ensuring proper
alignment of a melting plate 504 with a base portion 502. The
candle assembly 500 includes the base portion 502 and the melting
plate 504 for supporting a votive candle such as the combination of
the fuel element 110, wick holder 106, and wick 108. The base
portion 502 is made of a non-flammable material with low heat
transmissivity, such as glass or ceramic, and the melting plate is
made of a non-flammable material with high heat transmissivity,
such as aluminum or other metal, although other materials may also
be used. The base portion includes a recess 506 in a top end
thereof defined by four upstanding sidewalls 508 and a medial wall
510 spanning the sidewalls spaced below an upper rim 512 of the
sidewalls. A bottom end of the base 502 is hollow under the medial
wall 510. It is to be understood that the specific shape and
configuration of the sidewalls 508 and the bottom end of the base
502 may take almost any shape and form and are not limited to the
specific shapes described herein. The melting plate 504, which is
dish- or bowl-shaped, concaves upwardly with a bottom surface
shaped generally complementary to the recess 506 so as to be
received in the recess in an operative position. The melting plate
504 has a generally square footprint with a relatively flat bottom
wall 514 surrounded by a raised or upwardly curved peripheral
portion 516 adjacent an outer peripheral edge 518 and a capillary
lobe 520 protruding upwardly from a central portion of the bottom
wall 518 for receiving the votive candle (not shown) disposed
centrally thereon in a similar manner as described previously
herein. An alignment mechanism for ensuring proper alignment of the
melting plate 504 within the recess 506 of the base 502 includes a
shoulder, such as horizontal step 522, that projects inwardly from
an interior side 524 of the sidewalls and extends entirely around
the recess 506, and a complementary ledge, such as horizontal ledge
526, that rests on the shoulder. The ledge 526 extends around the
melting plate and is vertically disposed between the peripheral
edge 518 and the bottom wall 514 of the melting plate 504 and rests
on the horizontal step 522 with the peripheral edge pressed against
the inner surface 524 of the sidewalls 508 around the entire recess
506. The entire melting plate, including the capillary lobe 520 and
the peripheral edge 518, is disposed below the upper rim 512. The
melting plate 504 is spaced above the medial wall 510 in the recess
506 with the raised peripheral edge portions 516 pressed against
the inner surface 524 of the sidewalls 508 and the capillary lobe
520 projecting upwardly. The melting plate 504 is secured to the
base 502 with a bead of adhesive, such as the adhesive 166 (not
shown), disposed between the ledge 526 and the shoulder 522. The
adhesive may also provide a seal between the peripheral edge 518 of
the melting plate 504 and the interior surface 524 of the sidewalls
508 to prevent melted wax or other liquids from seeping under the
melting plate. Other substantially complementary alignment
configurations may also or alternatively be used for alignment
mechanisms. For example, the base shoulder may only include one or
more discrete spaced apart step portions, and the melting plate
ledge may be continuous or match the discrete ledge portions to
provide only one possible correct mating fit between the melting
plate and the base. In one embodiment, the alignment feature helps
ensure that the melting plate 504 is located in a predetermined
relation to the base 502 so that the bottom wall 514 of the melting
plate is substantially level and spaced above the medial wall 510
to ensure that melted wax pools around the capillary lobe when the
candle assembly 450 is placed on a level support surface and
minimize heat loss from the melted wax into the base. Of course,
the alignment feature may be readily modified to cause a melting
plate to rest within the recess in other alignment configurations,
such as with the bottom wall 514 contacting the medial wall 510
and/or with the bottom wall 514 disposed at a non-level angle. In
yet another embodiment (not shown), the alignment feature may
include one or more raised protrusions disposed anywhere within the
recess 506 that engage complementary ledges or cavities in the
melting plate 504 so as to provide a predetermined alignment
between the base 502 and the melting plate. Further, the
protrusions may be integral with the base 502, or the protrusions
may be formed by a separate object, such as a wire or button (not
shown), placed in the cavity. Another alignment mechanism (not
shown) may include only one of the ledge and the shoulder without
an opposing complementary shoulder or ledge, respectively, wherein
the ledge or shoulder urges the melting plate into a predetermined
alignment or orientation to the base.
[0116] A retainer feature for a magnet 528, such as a circular ring
530 projecting upwardly from a central area of the medial wall 510,
is disposed below a cavity 532 in the bottom surface of the melting
plate 504 underneath the capillary lobe 520. The ring 530 extends
upwardly into the cavity 532 without engaging the bottom surface of
the melting plate. The ring 530 acts as a retainer for the magnet
528, which is glued to the melting plate 504 inside the cavity 532,
in case the magnet should become unglued from the melting plate. In
one embodiment, the ring 530 does not engage, or is spaced from,
the bottom surface of the melting plate in order to minimize loss
of heat from the melted wax to the base. The retainer is not
limited to the specific circular ring form shown in the drawings,
but may take other shapes that would help retain the magnet 528 in
a predetermined position underneath the capillary lobe 520. For
example, the retainer may be a plurality of spaced projections that
partially surround the magnet 528, and the magnet may be shaped so
as to interfit with the spaced projections in a predetermined
orientation. In another example, the retainer may engage the bottom
surface of the cavity 532 to help align the melting plate 504
within the recess 506 in addition to the shoulder 522 and ledge
526. In addition, the alignment feature and retainer feature may be
readily adapted to work with any other combination of base and
melting plate disclosed herein, such as the base 102 and circular
melting plate 104, and are not limited to the particular base and
melting plate of this embodiment.
[0117] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate another embodiment of a candle
assembly 600. The candle assembly 600 includes a support base 602,
an optional light diffuser 604 and a control unit 606. In one
embodiment, the base 602 is similar or identical to the bases 102,
402, and 502 described previously and a melting plate 608 is
secured therein, again as described in connection with the
preceding embodiments. Although not shown, a magnet may be disposed
below a pedestal 610 and a wick clip, wick, and fuel element are
removably disposed on the pedestal 610 and are retained thereon by
magnetic forces developed by a magnet.
[0118] The base 602 in another embodiment is made of clear or
transparent glass, although other materials may be used having the
same or different optical characteristics.
[0119] The diffuser (FIG. 14) 604 is disposed within the base 602
and, in one embodiment, snuggly and conformingly fits within a
recess thereof. The diffuser 604 may be made of a translucent
thermoplastic that is injection molded, or otherwise formed. When
the diffuser 604 is made of materials resistant to bonding and/or
considered to be unbondable to other objects made of the same
and/or different materials, geometric surface features 605 may be
included in the diffuser to enable the use of conventional and/or
unconventional adhesives to bond the diffuser to other objects
including, for example, the base 602. Referring specifically to
FIGS. 14-17, the diffuser 604 includes a pair of tabs 610a, 610b
depending downwardly from a left-hand surface 612 (the terms left,
right, front, back, top, bottom, upper and lower, as used herein
are used for convenience only to note relative placement of various
elements, and are not used in a limiting sense whatsoever).
Further, a slot 614 is disposed in a lower portion of a right-hand
sidewall 616 of the diffuser 604. The diffuser 604 is mounted on
the control unit 606 by placing outturned flanges 620a, 620b of the
tabs 610a, 610b, respectively, into corresponding recesses 622a,
622b, respectively with the diffuser 604 tipped or angled such that
a lower edge 624 of the right-hand wall 616 is spaced upwardly away
from a support surface 626 of the control unit 606. The diffuser
604 is then rotated such that the lower edge 624 of the right-hand
wall 616 is brought down toward the support surface 626, whereupon
an outturned flange 628 of a tab 630 is eventually deflected toward
a center of the control unit 606 due to interference with an inner
surface 632 of a lower portion 634 of the diffuser 604. Continued
downward pivoting of the diffuser 604 causes the outturned flange
628 of the tab 630 to enter the slot 614, whereupon the lower edge
624 of the right-hand wall 616, as well as lower edges 636, 638,
and 640 of a front surface 642, the left-hand surface 612 and a
rear surface 644, respectively, of the diffuser 604 rest on the
support surface 626.
[0120] The diffuser 604 may be removed from the control unit 606 by
displacing the front and rear surfaces 642, 644 inwardly, thereby
causing at least the right-hand sidewall 616 to deflect outwardly
so that the outturned flange 628 of the tab 630 is moved out of
interfering contact with the inner surface 632 of the lower portion
634. The diffuser 604 may then be pivoted upwardly and the tabs
610a, 610b may be removed from the recesses 622a, 622b,
respectively.
[0121] As referring specifically to FIG. 16 and 17, the diffuser
604 further includes a hollow cylindrical member 650 that depends
downwardly from an inner surface 652 of an upper wall 654. The
cylindrical member 650 is closed ended where the member 650 meets
the inner surface 652 and is open ended at a lower end thereof. In
one embodiment, the cylindrical member 650 is fabricated of the
same material as the diffuser 604, and either or both are
translucent or, optionally, transparent. In another embodiment,
although not necessarily, a lower edge 656 of the cylindrical
member 650 is in contact with a planar surface 660 of a battery
holder 662 (FIGS. 14, 15, and 18) of the control unit 606.
Alternatively, the lower edge 656 may be spaced from the planar
surface 660 when the diffuser 604 is mounted on the control unit
606, if desired.
[0122] Referring next to FIGS. 14, 15, and 18-21, the battery
holder 662 includes recesses for receiving four AA sized batteries
664a-664d. If desired, a greater or lesser number of batteries may
be provided depending upon electrical requirement.
[0123] The batteries 664a-664dare connected together in series to
electrical components carried by a first printed circuit board 666
(FIGS. 18 and 19) and a second printed circuit board 668 (FIGS. 18,
20 and 21).
[0124] The first printed circuit board 666 carries a number of
electrical components thereon, including an LED assembly 670 (the
remainder of the electrical components carried by the printed
circuit board 666 that are not shown for purposes of simplicity).
With specific reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the first printed
circuit board 666 is snap-fitted into a recess 672 (FIG. 19) and is
retained therein by clips 674a, 674b(the clip 674a is visible in
FIGS. 14, 18, and 19, whereas the clip 674b is visible in FIG. 15).
Specifically, the first printed circuit board 666 is inserted
upwardly into the recess 672 until edges 676a, 676b interfere with
inwardly turned flanges 678a, 678b of the clips 674a, 674b.
Continued upward movement of the printed circuit board 666 forces
the clips 674a, 674b outwardly until the edges 676a, 676b of the
printed circuit board 666 clear the inwardly turned flanges 678a,
678b thereupon the clips 674a, 674b return to the original
positions thereof, thereby trapping the printed circuit board 666
between a lower surface 679 of a central planar surface 680 of the
battery holder 662 and the inwardly turned flanges 678a, 678b of
the clips 674a, 674b. When the first printed circuit board 666 is
so mounted, the LEDs 670 are positioned within an aperture 684 that
extends through the central planar surface 680 of the battery
holder 662.
[0125] In one embodiment, the LEDs 670 include red, green, and blue
light emitting diodes that are closely spaced together. The LEDs
670 are energized in a fashion described in greater detail
hereinafter to develop light at a varying spectral content and/or
intensity. This light is transmitted through the cylindrical member
650, the remaining portions of the diffuser 604 and the base 602 so
that such light is visible to an observer. Also in one embodiment,
the current delivered to each of the LEDs 670 is controlled to
cause such LED 670 to develop a light intensity of a particular
magnitude. While many methodologies exist for controlling the
amount of current delivered to each LED 670, in another embodiment
a pulse width modulation (PWM) operation is employed to minimize
battery drain.
[0126] As seen specifically in FIGS. 20 and 21, the second printed
circuit board 668 is mounted by screws 690a, 690b to standoffs
692a, 692b, respectively. A shoulder tab 693 (FIGS. 19-21) assists
in maintaining the placement of the second printed circuit board
668 against the standoffs 692a, 692b. The standoffs 692 are, in
turn, either integral with or secured to an anchor plate 694 that
is, in turn, integrally molded with or otherwise secured to a front
sidewall 696 of a housing 698 of the control unit 606. First
through fourth switches 700a-700d are carried by the second printed
circuit board 668 and include actuating members that are
contactable by buttons 702a-702d, respectively (FIGS. 12-15, 18,
20, and 21). Depression of one of the buttons 702a-702d causes
closure of one of the associated switches 700a-700d,
respectively.
[0127] The battery holders 662 are retained within the housing 698
by a series of four screws 710a-710d that extend through washers
711a-711d, respectively, into threaded bosses 712a-712d,
respectively, integral with or otherwise secured to the battery
holder 662. During assembly, the battery holder 662 is inserted
into the housing 698 such that the outturned flange 628 extends
through a slot 714 in part defined by opposed hollow members 716a
and 716b (FIGS. 18 and 19) until the outturned flange 628 is in the
position shown in FIG. 14, whereupon an under surface 718 (FIG. 19)
rests upon an upper edge 720 of an inner portion 722 of the
outturned flange 628 (FIGS. 18, 20, and 21). The screws 710a-710d
are then inserted through apertures in the housing 698 and into the
aligned threaded bosses 712a-712d and tightened to secure the
battery holder 662 in the position shown in FIG. 14.
[0128] Referring next to FIGS. 18-21, a speaker 730 is mounted in
the housing 698 by any suitable means and, as seen specifically in
FIG. 19, a series of apertures are provided in a central portion
732 of a lower surface 734 of the housing 698.)
[0129] The control unit housing 698 further includes four feet
740a-740d (FIGS. 13 and 19) that provide support for the candle
assembly 600 and which space the bottom of the portion 732 from a
support surface so that sounds emitted by the speaker 730 can
escape from the volume beneath the candle assembly 600.
[0130] FIGS. 22-30 illustrate another embodiment of a candle
assembly 900. The candle assembly 900 includes a support base 902
with a melting plate 903 secured therein, an optional light
diffuser 904 (that may or may not be removable) and a control unit
906, identical or similar to those described in detail with respect
to the embodiment of FIGS. 12-23. The features of the candle
assembly 900 that are identical to those of FIGS. 12-21, 45, and 50
will not be described further herein.
[0131] The diffuser (FIG. 23) 904 is disposed within the base 902
and, in one embodiment, snugly and conformingly fits within a
recess thereof. Referring specifically to FIGS. 23 and 24, the
diffuser 904 includes a pair of tabs 910a, 910b depending
downwardly from a left-hand sidewall 912 (again, the terms left,
right, front, back, top, bottom, upper and lower, as used herein
are used for convenience only to note relative placement of various
elements, and are not used in a limiting sense whatsoever).
Further, as seen in FIG. 25, an indentation 914 is disposed in an
inner surface 915 of a lower portion of a right-hand sidewall 916
of the diffuser 904. The diffuser 904 is mounted on the control
unit 906 by placing outturned flanges 920a, 920b of the tabs 910a,
910b, respectively, into corresponding recesses 922a, 922b,
respectively with the diffuser 904 tipped or angled such that a
lower edge 924 of the right-hand sidewall 916 is spaced upwardly
away from a support surface 926 of the control unit 906. The
diffuser 904 is then rotated such that the lower edge 924 of the
right-hand wall 916 is brought down toward the support surface 926,
whereupon an outturned flange 928 (FIG. 23) of a tab 930 is
eventually deflected toward a center of the control unit 906 due to
interference with an inner surface 932 of a lower portion 934 of
the diffuser 904. Alternatively or in addition, portions of the
right-hand sidewall 916 itself may deflect outwardly to permit the
flange 928 and the diffuser 904 to move relative to one another.
Continued downward pivoting of the diffuser 904 causes the
outturned flange 928 of the tab 930 to enter the indentation 914,
whereupon the lower edge 924 of the right-hand sidewall 916, as
well as lower edges 936, 938, and 940 of a front wall 942, the
left-hand sidewall 912 and a rear wall 944, respectively, of the
diffuser 904 rest on the support surface 926. It should be noted
that the diffuser 904 of this embodiment is not designed to be
readily removed from the control unit 906.
[0132] Referring next to FIGS. 26 and 27, a battery holder 962 is
disposed in a bottom portion 963 of the control unit 906 and
includes recesses for receiving four AA sized batteries 964a-964d.
The batteries 964a-964d are accessible only through the bottom
portion 963 of the control unit 906 through a battery door 965. As
seen in FIG. 26A, the battery door 965 is attached to the control
unit 906 by tilting the battery door 965 such that first and second
extensions 967a, 967b extend into the first and second recesses
969a, 969b in the control unit 906. Thereafter, the battery door
965 is rotated into contact with the control unit 906 such that a
flexible portion 973 of the battery door 965 flexes inwardly until
outturned flanges 975a, 975b of tabs 977a, 977b extending from the
battery door 965 rest in corresponding recesses 979a, 979b in the
control unit 906. When removing the battery door 965 to replace the
batteries 964a-964d or otherwise, an upwardly extending tab 981 is
pressed inwardly, thereby flexing the flexible portion 973 inwardly
and pulling the tabs 977a, 977b away from the recesses 979a, 979b
and allowing removal of the battery door 965.
[0133] As discussed above, a greater or lesser number of batteries
may be provided depending upon electrical requirements. The
batteries 964a-964d are connected together in series to electrical
components carried by a first printed circuit board 966 (FIGS. 18
and 19) and a second printed circuit board 968 (FIGS. 18, 20 and
21).
[0134] The first printed circuit board 966 carries a number of
electrical components thereon, including an LED assembly 970 (the
remainder of the electrical components carried by the printed
circuit board 966 that are not shown for purposes of simplicity).
With specific reference to FIG. 28, during assembly, the first
printed circuit board 966 is mounted to the control unit 906 by
inserting two screws 972a, 972b through apertures 974a, 974b,
wherein the screws 972a, 972b extend into threaded bosses 976a,
976b that extend upwardly from the control unit 906. When the first
printed circuit board 966 is so mounted, the LEDs 970 are
positioned within an aperture 978 that extends through a central
planar surface 980 of a cover portion 982 of the control unit 906.
The LEDs 970 may emit the same colors and may be spaced and
energized in the same manner as described with respect to the
embodiment of FIGS. 12-21, 45, and 50.
[0135] As further seen in FIGS. 28 and 29, the cover portion 982 of
the control unit 906 is retained on the bottom portion 963 of the
control unit 906 by a series of four screws 984a-984d that extend
through washers 985a-985d, respectively, and into threaded bosses
986a-986d, respectively, integral with or otherwise secured to the
bottom portion 963.
[0136] The second printed circuit board 968 is seen in detail in
FIG. 29 and is mounted by screws 990a and 990b to standoffs 992a
and 992b, respectively. The standoffs 992a, 992b are either
integral with or secured to an anchor plate 993. First and second
lower corners 994a, 994b (FIG. 30) of the second printed circuit
board 968 are inserted into first and second slots 996a, 996b
formed in the control unit 906 to retain the second printed circuit
board 968 therein. First and second switches 1000a-1000d are
carried by the second printed circuit board 968 and include
actuating members that are contactable by buttons 1002a-1002d,
respectively. Depression of the buttons 1002a, 1002b causes closure
of the associated switches 1000a, 1000b, respectively. Depression
of a first button 1002a activates and selects the light show mode
of the candle assembly 900 and deactivates the light show after
scrolling though the various modes, as discussed in detail above. A
second button 1002b pauses or stops the color morphing in a light
show, thereby maintaining a currently displayed color. Depressing
the second button 102b again resumes operation in the selected
light show mode.
[0137] FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate yet another embodiment of a
candle assembly 1100, which is capable of emitting light or sounds,
but not both. Specifically, the embodiment of FIGS. 31 and 32
includes circuitry and LEDs to cause light to be developed in the
fashion illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-21, 45, and 50 in
a region 1102 (FIG. 32) in response to actuation of buttons 1104a,
1104b. The button 904a, when depressed, causes energization of the
LEDs within the candle holder 1100 whereas the actuation of the
button 1104b causes the LEDs to be lit in different energization
modes, such as the modes described above in connection with FIGS.
12-21, 45, and 50.
[0138] Of course, through the substitution of a speaker and
appropriate circuitry for the LEDs and circuitry of FIGS. 31 and
32, the embodiment of such figures can be modified to cause the
candle assembly 1100 to emit sounds, for example as described in
the embodiment of FIGS. 12-21, 45, and 50, as opposed to light.
Further, any configuration and number of switches and/or buttons
may be used as desired to control the electronic components
described herein. For example, the candle assembly 1100 that is
configured to emit both light and sound may be configured to have
three controls (not shown) located in the bottom portion 963 (or
any other portion) of the control unit 906. One control, for
example, a combined on/off switch and potentiometer, may be used to
turn the sound show on and off and to control the volume of the
sound. A first button may be provided to turn the light show on and
off and to permit selection of one of various light shows (if the
capability to display multiple light shows is provided). Through
suitable programming the first button might also be actuated
according to a selected sequence to provide commands to the
processor to pause the selected light show. (For example, the first
button may be depressed a particular number of times within a first
time period of initial depression thereof to select a light show
mode, and thereafter the first button may be depressed a further
time after the first time period to pause the light show. Yet
another depression of the first button may resume the light show
and subsequent depressions of the first button may permit selection
of a different light show mode or may turn the light show off.). A
second button may be provided to scroll through the sound show
modes. The controls, switches and/or buttons may also be located at
any desired location on the candle assembly 1100.
[0139] Now referring to FIGS. 33-38A, a candle assembly 1200
includes a candle refill 1202 filled with a fuel material 1211 with
a wick 1208 disposed therethrough, disposed atop a refill holder
1216. The refill holder 1216 is disposed adjacent a top surface of
a diffuser 1214 that is disposed on a control unit 1206. The
control unit 1206 includes similar electronic components shown and
described above and such similar electronic components will not be
further shown or described. A light permissive or translucent
sheath 1230 rests upon the control unit 1206 and surrounds the
candle refill 1202, the refill holder 1216, and the diffuser 1214.
Three LEDs (not shown) are located at or above a hole or cutout
1236 in a top surface of the control unit 1206. Further, a lock and
key mechanism, for example, a female element 1224 and a male
element 1226, align the control unit 1206 to the candle refill
1202. In this embodiment, the lock and key mechanism includes the
female element 1224 on a bottom surface of the candle refill 1202
that is complementary to the male element 1226 formed on an upper
surface of a refill holder 1216. Mating of the female element 1224
and the male element 1226 may serve to align functionally the
mechanisms described below for operatively linking a flame 1254
disposed on a wick 1208 to electrical components disposed within
the control unit 1206. When a lock and key mechanism is not
necessarily needed to align various components of the candle
assembly 1200, and/or is not incorporated into the candle assembly
(see, for example, FIG. 38), a 4 oz. glass votive candle refill
1202 may be used with the candle assembly 1200. Other glass votives
having varied shapes and sizes may also be used with the candle
assembly 1200, for example, those manufactured by, for example, S.
C. Johnson and Son.
[0140] Turning now to FIGS. 33 and 36, an embodiment is shown for
detecting the presence of the flame 1254 disposed on the wick 1208.
The candle assembly 1200 includes the candle refill 1202 with an
optical fiber 1204 disposed along side the wick 1208. The optical
fiber 1204 is positioned such that light traveling in a direction A
emitted from the flame 1254 is directed by the optical fiber 1204
to the bottom of the refill 1202. The light is emitted from the
optical fiber 1204 in a direction B, and passes through a light
passage in the bottom of the refill 1202. The light passing through
the light passage is detected by a light sensor such as a
photosensitive sensor 1210. The light passage may be, for example,
clear or transparent glass or a non-frosted and/or non-colored
portion of a frosted, colored, and/or translucent candle refill
1202, or other light permissive medium. In one embodiment, as the
flame 1254 melts the fuel 1211, the fuel, the wick 1208, and/or the
optical fiber 1204 are consumed (not shown) at similar rates such
that as the level of the fuel decreases, the wick and the optical
fiber remain in operative spatial relation to one another so that
the optical fiber directs light from the flame on the wick to the
photosensitive sensor 1210 throughout the life of the candle refill
1202.
[0141] In other embodiments not shown, the optical fiber 1204 may
be interwoven into the wick 1208. Further, the optical fiber 1204
may be coated with a thermochromatic ink (not shown) to inhibit or
prohibit ambient light from being transferred to or detected by the
photosensitive sensor 1210. In this embodiment, the thermochromatic
ink has a color impervious to or absorptive of light when at or
below a first temperature (for example, about 120.degree. F. to
about 140.degree. F.) and is coated or applied to the optical fiber
1204. Upon lighting of the wick 1208, the flame 1254 heats the
thermochromatic ink to a second temperature higher than the first
temperature that causes the thermochromatic ink to change from the
light impervious or absorptive color to a color (for example, a
clear color) that permits light to pass through the optical fiber
1204. In this embodiment, when the thermochromatic ink is exposed
to sufficient heat from the flame 1254, light may travel through
the optical fiber 1204 to the photosensitive sensor 1210.
Thermochromatic inks useful in the present invention include, for
example, those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2004/0160764. Additional thermochromatic inks useful in the present
invention include, for example, those described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2005/0024859. Further, thermochromatic
inks useful in the present invention include those, for example,
available from Matsui International, such as Chromicolor.RTM. inks.
In an additional embodiment, the wick 1208 may have a clear
microwax (for example, polyethylene and/or polypropylene) sheath
(not shown) that transfers light to the photosensitive sensor
1210.
[0142] As an alternative embodiment, similar to the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 36, the photosensitive sensor 1210 is placed in
such proximity relative to the wick 1208 so to detect directly the
flame 1254 disposed thereon, as is seen in FIGS. 34 and 37. Here,
the photosensitive sensor 1210 is disposed in operative proximity
(for example, in or on a top portion 1228 of a wall 1222 of the
candle refill 1202) to the wick 1208. The photosensitive sensor
1210 is positioned such that light having a direction C (for
example) emitted from a flame 1254 is detected by the
photosensitive sensor 1210.
[0143] Another embodiment depicted in FIG. 35 and 38, shows the
candle assembly 1200 that includes the candle refill 1202 that has
a light transmissive clear gel candle core 1232 with a diameter of
approximately one half inch located adjacent the wick 1208 and
extending to the base of the candle refill 1202. Light having the
direction A emitted from the flame is communicated by the clear gel
candle core 1232 to the bottom of the refill 1202 and passes
through a light passage in the bottom of the refill 1202 in the
direction B. The light passing through the light passage is then
detected by the photosensitive sensor 1210 disposed on or in the
electronic base 1206, which activates and/or deactivates the
electrical components in the control unit 1206. In one embodiment,
after an initial use, the clear gel candle core 1232 and the wax
1211 components blend together and create an opaque film upon
solidifying when cool (not shown) at the top of the candle refill
1202. The opaque film inhibits or blocks light from passing through
the clear gel candle core 1232 thereby deactivating the electronics
within the control unit 1206. A light impervious wax film (not
shown) can also be applied to the very top of the candle refill
1202 during manufacturing operations to prevent ambient light from
triggering the electrical components prior to use. Light
transmissive clear gel candle core materials useful in the present
invention include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,474.
Additional light permissive materials useful in the present
invention include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,812.
[0144] The photosensitive sensor 1210 is connected to electrical
components within a control unit 1206 via a connector 1212 (for
example, an electrical wire or other devices known to those skilled
in the art) to activate or enable the various electrical
components. Through the combination of the light communicating
techniques, for example, the optical fiber 1204 and clear gel core
1232 and the photosensitive sensor 1210, the electrical components
within the control unit 1206 are operatively linked when the candle
is lit or unlit and may be used to activate and/or deactivate the
electrical components within the control unit 1206 and/or enable
the electrical components to be activated by separate switching
mechanisms disclosed herein. The discontinuous structural nature of
the combination of the optical fiber 1204 with the photosensitive
sensor 1210 allows the control unit 1206 to be reused with multiple
candle refills 1202.
[0145] In embodiments when the photosensitive sensor 1210 is an
integral part of the candle refill 1202, for example, see FIG. 37,
the connector 1212 is discontinuous, with one portion 1212a
spanning from the photosensitive sensor 1210 to connect to a
connective interface 1218 at the bottom of the refill 1202. The
connective interface 1218 interfaces with a corresponding
connective interface 1220 in or on a refill holder 1216 disposed on
a diffuser 1214 that is integral to or attached to the control unit
1206. To complete the connection between the photosensitive sensor
1210 and electrical components within the control unit 1206, a
connective interface 1220 on the control unit 1206 is operatively
connected to the control unit 1206 via another connector section
1212 b associated with the diffuser 1214.
[0146] In another embodiment seen in FIG. 38A, the candle assembly
1200 includes the candle refill 1260 in the form of, for example, a
pillar candle. The candle refill 1260 includes a wick 1208 and a
light transferring and/or heat transferring element 1274 similar to
that described elsewhere herein (for example, an optical fiber, a
light pipe, a thermistor, and/or a conductive wire, and the like).
In this embodiment, it is contemplated that the lock and key
mechanism may take the form of a threaded male element 1266 that
corresponds to a complementary, threaded female element 1264.
Illustratively, as an example, the candle refill 1260 with a
threaded female element 1264 may be mated onto the threaded male
element 1266 of the control unit 1206. Further, a flame detecting
sensor 1210, including for example, a photosensitive sensor and/or
a heat sensor may be disposed on the threaded male element to
detect the presence of the flame 1254 on the wick 1208. In a
further embodiment, the LEDs (not shown) are disposed in and/or on
the threaded male element 1266.
[0147] When the photosensitive sensor 1210 is not part of the
candle refill, for example, when the photosensitive sensor is
attached to or disposes on the sheath 1230 (not shown), the
connector 1212 may be continuous from the photosensitive sensor
1210 to electrical components within the control unit 1206. In
addition to or in place of the photosensitive sensor 1210, other
heat sensors, optical sensors, and/or heat and photosensitive
sensors may be used. For example, heat and/or photosensitive
sensors useful for the present invention include those described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,516. Other photosensitive sensors useful in the
present invention include, for example, those available from Banner
Engineering Co., for example, MINI-BEAM.RTM. photoelectric sensors
(for example, all variations of model no. SME312). Examples of
optical sensors useful in the present invention include those
described, for example, in Japanese Patent No. JP 408185710A.
Optical fibers and photosensitive sensors useful in the present
invention include, for example, those described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2005/0111217. Additional optical fibers
and photosensitive sensors useful in the present invention include,
for example, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,096. Additional
optical fibers and photosensitive sensors useful in the present
invention include, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,033,209. Additional photosensitive sensors useful in the present
invention include those, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,468,071. Optical fibers and photosensitive sensors useful in the
present invention include, for example, those described in U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0119413. Additional optical
fibers and photosensitive sensors useful in the present invention
include, for example, those described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2005/0093834. Additional optical fibers and
photosensitive sensors useful in the present invention include, for
example, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,323. Additional
optical fibers and photosensitive sensors useful in the present
invention include, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,477,249. Additional optical fibers and photosensitive sensors
useful in the present invention include, for example, those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,767. Additional photosensitive
sensors useful in the present invention include those described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,812.
[0148] Now referring to FIGS. 39-43, a candle assembly 1300
includes a support base 1316 that is made of, for example, glass, a
resin, a polymer, a metal, a wood, a rock, a hollow material, a
porous material, a liquid-filled material, and the like that
supports a melting plate 1304 and is disposed atop a control unit
1306 that houses electrical components (not shown but similar to
those described above). A diffuser 1322 is disposed beneath the
support base 1316. Upon the melting plate 1304, a wick holder 1314
holds a wick 1308 upon which a flame 1354 is disposed. Three LEDs
(not shown but described previously) controlled by the electrical
components are located at or above a hole or cutout 1336 in a top
surface of the control unit 1306.
[0149] The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 39-43 operatively link the
flame 1354 to the electrical components within the candle assembly
1300. The candle assembly 1300 includes a flame and/or a heat
sensor 1310 operatively connected through a connector 1312 (for
example, a conductive wire attached to the support base 1316) to a
connective interface 1313 attached with the support base 1316. To
complete the connection between the heat sensor 1310 and the
electrical components within the control unit 1306, the connective
interface 1313 connects to a complementary connective interface
1315 that is operatively linked by a connector 1317 to the
electrical components of the control unit 1306.
[0150] The embodiment shown in FIG. 39 incorporates into the candle
assembly 1300 a heat sensor 1310 in thermal communication with the
melting plate 1304. The heat sensor 1310 detects the rise in
temperature of the melting plate due to the presence of the flame
1354 upon the wick 1308. Detection of heat by the heat sensor 1310
leads to the activation or enablement of electrical components
disposed within the control unit 1306. Once the flame 1354 has been
extinguished, the melting plate 1304 cools causing the heat sensor
1310 to deactivate or disenable the electrical components. Examples
of heat sensors 1310 include, but are not limited to thermistors,
Hall effect sensors, and/or Reed switches, and the like.
[0151] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, the candle
assembly 1300 incorporates a heat sensor 1310 such as a Hall effect
sensor to detect changes in a magnetic field associated with
changes in heat of a magnet 1328 disposed adjacent the heat sensor
1310. The heat sensor 1310 activates, deactivates, enables, and/or
disables the electrical components within the control unit 1306. In
this embodiment, a single magnet 1328 may function to retain the
wick holder 1314, as well as function in combination with the heat
sensor 1310 to link the flame 1354 with control of the electrical
components. It is envisioned that additional magnets in direct or
indirect heat communication with the flame 1354 may be used with
the heat sensor 1310 to operatively link the flame to the
electrical components. In a further embodiment, the Hall effect
sensor 1310 may be used to sense the presence of a wick holder
1314. For example, if a wick holder 1314 is absent from the candle
assembly 1300, the Hall effect sensor 1310 may be able to sense the
absence of the wick holder due to an altered magnetic field of the
magnet 1328. The absence of the wick holder 1314 may be reported to
the electrical components of the control unit 1306, which in turn
may lead to an audible and/or visual prompt to the user to remind
the user to replace the fuel element.
[0152] Similar to the embodiments seen in FIGS. 39 and 40, FIG. 41
depicts the candle assembly 1300 comprising a support plate 1320
(for example, made of glass) having a hole 1338 therethrough to
allow the heat sensor 1310 to be positioned closer to the flame
1354 or to the magnet 1328 resulting in increased sensitivity of
the heat sensor to changes in heat or changes in the magnetic
strength of the magnet in response to the flame.
[0153] Heat sensitive sensors useful in the present invention
include those, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,175.
Additional heat sensors useful in the present invention include,
for example, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,119. Additional
heat sensitive sensors useful in the present invention include, for
example, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,005.
[0154] Another mechanism to operatively link the flame 1354 with
the activation, deactivation, enablement, and/or disablement of
electrical components within the control unit 1306 is illustrated
in FIG. 42. Here, the candle assembly 1300 is equipped with a
thermochromatic strip 1318 attached beneath and in thermal
communication with the melting plate 1304 and a photoelectric
sensor 1324. Upon lighting the wick 1308, meltable fuel (not shown)
is melted and fills the melting plate 1304. Heat from the melted
fuel causes the thermochromatic strip 1318 to change from a first
color to a second color. The change from the first color (for
example, at temperature less than or equal to about 100.degree. F.,
or less than or equal to about 110.degree. F., or less than or
equal to about 120.degree. F., or less than or equal to about
130.degree. F., or less than or equal to about 140.degree. F., or
less than or equal to about 150.degree. F.) to the second color
(for example, at a temperature greater than or equal to about
100.degree. F., or greater than or equal to about 110.degree. F.,
or greater than or equal to about 120.degree. F., or greater than
or equal to about 130.degree. F., or greater than or equal to about
140.degree. F., or greater than or equal to about 150.degree. F.)
of the thermochromatic strip 1318 is detected by a photoelectric
sensor 1324. The photoelectric sensor 1324 emits a light beam (for
example, an infrared or visible light beam) from an LED 1325 in a
direction D toward the thermochromatic strip 1318. The color of the
light reflected from the thermochromatic strip 1318 in a direction
E is detected by a photosensitive cell 1327 (such as a
photoresistor and/or a photodiode) within the photoelectric sensor
1324. The connector 1312 connects the photoelectric sensor 1324 to
electrical components within the control unit 1306. In a similar
embodiment to that shown in FIG. 44, the melting plate 1304 is
formed of the surface of the support plate 1320, and the
thermochromatic strip 1318 is attached directly to the underside of
the support plate that is integral to the support base 1316, such
that the thermochromatic strip is in thermal communication with the
glass support plate. If desirable, to reduce interference from
ambient light, the emitted light beam may be modulated to have a
dominant wavelength (for example, in the blue spectrum).
Alternatively, a full spectrum light source could be used with an
additional optical filter (not shown) of the appropriate color to
attain an emitted light beam having a dominant wavelength.
[0155] It is contemplated that the abovementioned mechanisms for
operatively linking the flame to the activation of the various
electrical components described herein may have the further
function of maximizing battery life such that the one or more of
the electrical components may be operable only when the flame is
present and/or after a pre-select temperature (for example, greater
than or equal to about 100.degree. F., or greater than or equal to
about 110.degree. F., or greater than or equal to about 120.degree.
F., or greater than or equal to about 130.degree. F., or greater
than or equal to about 140.degree. F., or greater than or equal to
about 150.degree. F.) is reached. Further, it is contemplated that
when a candle assembly is equipped with a mechanism for operatively
linking the flame to the activation of the electrical components,
the light and sound switches (such as, for example, 700c,d and
702c,dof FIG. 18) could be removed and only an audio level set of
buttons remain on the product (such as, for example, 700a,b and
702a,b of FIG. 18).
[0156] Another example of a lock and key mechanism is depicted in
FIG. 43. Here, the candle assembly 1300 has a first magnet 1328
with a first polarity disposed within a cavity 1332 in a bottom
surface of the melting plate 1304 beneath a capillary lobe 1334.
Disposed beneath the support base 1316 and atop the control unit
1306 similar to that described above is a light diffuser 1322 with
a second magnet with a second polarity or a ferrous material 1330
disposed on a surface of the light diffuser. The first polarity of
the first magnet 1328 and second polarity of the second magnet or
the ferrous material 1330 are in such orientation so as to have an
attractive force therebetween that secures the support base 1316 to
the control unit 1306. This securement system allows a user to
remove the support base 1316 for cleaning and replace it upon the
control unit 1306 without risk of misassembly.
[0157] Now turning to FIG. 44, a candle assembly 1400 similar to
the candle assembly 1300 shown in FIGS. 39-43 has an electrical
communication link 1402 incorporated into the control unit 1406
similar to that described above, which allows a user to reprogram
electrical components associated with the control unit, such as
light effects from the LEDs (not shown but described previously)
disposed through a hole 1436 at or above a top surface of the
control unit and/or sound effects emitted from a speaker 1430 held
within the control unit. In this embodiment, the melting plate 1404
is formed of the surface of the support plate 1420. Further, it is
contemplated that the melting plate may be made of any material
that sufficiently facilitates the operation of the melting plate as
described herein.
[0158] The reprogramming the electrical components associated with
the control unit 1406 through the electrical communication link
1402 may be performed in any fashion known to those skilled in the
art including, for example, at a user's home, over the internet, in
a store (for example, at a reprogramming kiosk or display shelf
apparatus), and/or from a remote location. Examples of electrical
communication links not shown but contemplated for use in this
embodiment include, for example, removable data storage media,
cables, USB ports, radio frequency sensors, infrared sensors, blue
tooth enabled links, inductive communication links, an acoustic
switch, a vibration detecting switch, a phono jack (for example, to
connect an iPod.RTM. or other portable devices), and/or the control
unit may be removably docked in a docking bay to facilitate
reprogramming of the control unit 1406. Inclusion of the link 1402
could permit seasonal reprogramming (for example, to reprogram a
Christmas sound and light theme or a Halloween sound and light
theme) and serve to remind the consumer to refill the candle. Any
sound or light show is contemplated for programming, including, for
example, spoken word, language lessons, books-on-tape, and/or
poetry. Since the control unit uses a processor to operate the
light and/or sound shows, any common interface (for example, those
described herein) could be integrated into the electrical
components and software controlling the light and/or sound shows.
Further, it is contemplated that establishing an electronic
connection with the control unit via the electrical communication
link 1402 and/or pressing a button sequence could initiate an
interface sequence that would download and/or make available a new
light and/or sound program. It is also contemplated that a
software-based application program could be provided that allows
the user to create a personalized light and/or sound show program
that could be input into the control unit via the electrical
communication link using, for example, a personal digital
assistant, a personal computer, or other devices. Further, the
electrical communication link 1402 may be located at any convenient
location on the candle assembly 1400 to facilitate the operation
thereof.
[0159] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 54, a candle assembly
1300 includes the Hall effect sensor 1310 that may be used as the
communication link to enable reprogramming of the electrical
components (not shown) of the control unit 1306. In this
embodiment, the user places a wick holder-shaped transducer 1360
that is connected to a computer and/or similar device (not shown)
via a connector 1380 onto the capillary lobe 1334 of the melting
plate 1304. Through altering a magnetic field in a communicative
manner (for example, in a binary manner), information is passed to
the electrical components of the control unit 1306 to reprogram
(for example, add, delete, and/or change) the encoded programs
controlling light and/or sound effects of the candle assembly
1300.
[0160] In another embodiment, rechargeable batteries and/or an AC
adapter may be included to power the electrical components
described herein.
[0161] In another embodiment, a candle assembly (not shown) may be
placed in a body of liquid wherein the candle assembly floats on
the surface of the body of liquid. It is contemplated for the
current embodiments that bodies of liquid include, for example,
water ponds, lakes, streams, baths, containers of water and/or
other liquids, and the like.
[0162] In another embodiment, a candle assembly (not shown) is
contemplated that incorporates multiple fuel elements that may, for
example, incorporate differently scented oils and/or fragrances.
The multiple fuel elements may be modular, for example, they may be
assembled together to form one fuel element. It is contemplated
that when the fuel elements are modular, specific ratios of
differently scented fuel elements may be combined to achieve a
specific scent and/or fragrance blend when the fuel elements are
burned at the same time. Further, the candle assembly may have
multiple wick holders to accommodate multiple fuel elements. In the
latter embodiment, for example, a consumer may choose to bum
differently scented fuel elements simultaneously on the different
wick holders in the same candle assembly to create a blend of
scents. It is further contemplated that kits including a plurality
of differently scented fuel elements be available for the user to
be used either as a pre-selected combination of fuel elements or to
allow the user to create a personalized fragrance blend according
to personal preference.
[0163] In another embodiment, removable data storage media (not
shown) including, for example, external hard drives, PDA's, cell
phones, flash drives, compact flash memory cards, and/or memory
sticks removably installed in the control unit may be used to
provide variation in light and/or sound shows of the control unit
1406. The removable data storage media could be used in combination
with the memory of the control unit installed at the time of
manufacture to augment the memory of the control unit to increase
the number and/or complexity of light and/or sound shows of the
control unit. Further, the removable data storage media could have
any conceivable type of sound and/or light information encoded
thereon including, for example, spoken word, language lessons,
poetry, holiday light and/or sound shows, popular culture light
and/or sound shows (for example, those associated with movies or
other popular events), international light and/or sound shows,
cultural-specific light and/or sound shows, and the like. The
removable data storage media could also be reprogrammed with light
and/or sound shows through a personal computer or other methods
known to those skilled in the art. Such shows could be
preprogrammed on the removable data storage media and/or the
removable data storage media could be selectively modified to
incorporate shows and/or light and/or sound themes from one or more
sources for free, for a fee per download, or through a subscription
service.
[0164] It is contemplated that various combinations of the
embodiments described herein may be available to a consumer, for
example, in different configurations and/or kits. These
configurations and/or kits may include, for example, fuel element
refills, candle jar refills, removable data storage media,
instructions, software-based application programs (including, for
example, those described previously), batteries, replacement parts,
customizable elements including, for example, decals, paints,
stickers, letters, numbers, figures, and the like and combinations
thereof. Further, the configurations and/or kits contemplated may
have holiday themes, event themes (such as, for example, birthdays,
special days, sporting events, movies, and other popular
entertainment), personalized themes, and the like. The kits may
have a complete candle assembly and accessories associated with the
candle assembly, and/or the kits may be directed toward individual
components of the candle assembly (such as, for example, melting
plates, batteries, fuel elements, removable data storage media,
etc.).
[0165] It is contemplated that the various mechanisms disclosed
herein for operatively linking the flame to the activation of the
various electrical components may be configured to be incorporated
into any of the candle assemblies described or any variation
thereof. For example, and referring now to FIGS. 45-49, components
on the printed circuit boards 666 and 668 (seen in FIGS. 18-21 and
representational of all embodiments described herein having a
control unit to house electronic components), are interconnected
with the speaker 730 and the batteries 664a-664d (see FIGS. 14 and
15) in a general fashion as illustrated. The circuitry disposed on
the printed circuit boards 666 and 668 includes a processor 800
(see FIGS. 45-49), which may be, for example, a microprocessor
manufactured by Holtek Semiconductor Inc. under part number
HT86192. The processor 800 may be programmed to be responsive to
actuation of the switches 700a-700d or auxiliary switches described
below to selectively illuminate the LEDs 670 (including a green LED
670a, a red LED 670b, and a blue LED 670c) and/or reproduce
digitally encoded sounds via the speaker 730. In one embodiment,
the switch 700c, when momentarily closed, causes the processor 800
to operate the LEDs 670 in one of four modes of operation described
in greater detail hereinafter. When the switch 700 d is momentarily
closed, the processor 800 develops analog waveforms that are
delivered to the speaker 730 to reproduce one of four sound
patterns. Closing the switches 700a or 700b causes the volume of
the sounds reproduced by the speaker 730 to increase or decrease,
respectively.
[0166] The processor 800, in one embodiment, is further responsive
to a detection circuit 802 that determines when the combined
voltage developed by the series of connected batteries 664a-664d
drops below a predetermined level.
[0167] Referring now to FIG. 46, auxiliary switches incorporated
into the circuitry include the photosensitive sensor 1210 and/or
the heat sensor 1310. The photosensitive sensor 1210 and/or the
heat sensor 1310 interconnect with the electrical components of the
control unit through the processor 800 to control the selective
illumination of the LEDs 670 and/or to reproduce digitally encoded
sounds via the speaker 730 in cooperation with the switches 700a-d
and the detection circuit 802.
[0168] In addition to heat and/or light detecting methods, audio
detecting sensors for example, the Clapper.RTM. acoustically
operated switch, may be employed independent from or in conjunction
with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the light
detecting switching methods disclosed to activate and/or deactivate
the electrical components within the control unit 1206. Possible
audio detecting sensors could include microphones functionally
linked with electronic filters (for example, ASICs and/or digital
signal processor) or other combinations of electrical components.
Functionally, the audio detecting mechanism could restart the light
and/or sound shows from the previous setting or turn current
selections on and/or off. In another embodiment, Ser. coded audio
sequences would simulate the operation of each switch 700a-d.
Acoustic switches useful in the present disclosure include those,
for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,618. Additional
useful acoustic switches include those, for example, described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,271.
[0169] In one embodiment, an audio detecting sensor 1800
interconnects with the processor 800 in a fashion similar to that
of FIG. 46 as illustrated in FIG. 47. In one embodiment, software
known to those skilled in the art may perform the audio detection
and the indicated audio detection box 1802 would then consist of a
signal conditioner (not shown) and an analog to digital converter
(not shown).
[0170] In FIG. 48, a simplified block and schematic diagram of the
circuitry for the embodiment shown in FIG. 42 is presented. Here, a
photoelectric sensor 1324 emits a beam of light from the LED 1325
in the direction D that passes through the support plate 1320 and
reflects off of the thermochromatic strip 1318 in the direction E.
The reflected light is detected by the photosensitive cell 1327
within the photoelectric sensor 1324 that cooperatively regulates
the processor 800 in conjunction with the switches 700a-d and the
detection circuit 802.
[0171] FIG. 49 illustrates the interconnection of the electronic
communication link 1402 with the processor 800 to enable the
reprogramming of the processor via the electronic communication
link to vary light and/or sound show programs.
[0172] The flowcharts of FIGS. 50-53 illustrate the operation of
the processor 800 in the response to execution of programming
stored therein. A block 810 implements a sleep and/or power saving
mode of operation whereby most functions of the processor 800 are
shut down, with the exception of circuitry for detecting when the
batteries have been replaced and adequate voltage is being
developed thereby. This operation is illustrated by a block 812,
which checks to determine whether the battery voltage is low. If
the battery voltage is low, control returns to the block 810 until
the combined battery voltage exceeds a predetermined level. Once
the combined battery voltage exceeds the predetermined level, a
series of blocks 814, 816, 818, and 820 checks to determine whether
any of the buttons 702a-702d has been depressed. If any of the
blocks 814, 816, 818, or 820 determines that one of the buttons
702a-702d has been depressed, control passes to one of the series
of blocks 822, 824, 826, or 828, respectively. Specifically, if the
block 814 determines that the sound button 702d has been depressed,
the block 822 plays an encoded sound effect according to a table
stored in the processor 800. If the block 816 determines that the
light button 702c has been depressed, a light effect, such as a
light show as determined by a table stored in the processor 800 is
displayed by suitably energizing the LEDs 670.
[0173] The sound and light buttons 702d and 702c operate to cause
the processor 800 to step through different sound effects and light
effects and no sound and no light conditions. In one embodiment,
the light effects are independent of the sound effects in the sense
that selection of a particular light effect does not result in
selection of a particular sound effect, or vice versa. In one
embodiment, each momentary depression of the sound button 702d
causes the processor 800 to operate as follows:
[0174] No sound sound 1 sound 2 sound 3 sound 4 no sound
Similarly, a number of momentary depressions of the light button
702c cause the processor 800 to step through the following
sequence:
[0175] No light light sequence 1 light sequence 2 light sequence 3
light sequence 4 no light
[0176] It should be noted that the processor need not step through
an equal number of sounds and light sequences. Also, there may be a
greater or lesser number of sounds and light sequences.
[0177] If the volume up button 702a or the volume down button 702d
has been determined to be depressed, the blocks 826 and 828
increase or decrease the level of the sound emanating from the
speaker 730, respectively.
[0178] Control from the blocks 822, 824, 826, or 828 passes to a
block 830 which checks to determine whether the candle assembly
control unit 606 has been operating for a predetermined period of
time, such as three hours. If this is found to be the case, control
return to the block 810. Otherwise, a block 832 checks to determine
whether the sound and light functions are both in the off state. If
this is found to be the case, control returns to the block 810;
otherwise, control passes to the block 812 which then checks to
determine whether the combined voltage of the batteries 664 is
above the predetermined level.
[0179] In one embodiment, the LEDs 670 are operated to provide a
plurality of light shows that may be individually selected by a
user. For example, each of the LEDs 670a-670c may receive one of
256 discrete current levels at any particular time, thereby
resulting in the development of one of 256 light intensity levels
at that time for the color emitted by the particular LED 670.
Because the LEDs 670 are small and closely spaced next to one
another, and because the light developed thereby is diffused, the
human eye perceives the combination of the colors, as opposed to
the individual colors emitted by the LEDs 670. Accordingly, in such
embodiment, the LEDs are capable of displaying approximately 16.7
million colors. Obviously, a different energization scheme could be
used whereby a greater or lesser number of colors (including an
infinite number of colors) may be displayed, if desired.
[0180] Illustratively, the processor 800 may be programmed to
display a particular number of light shows, wherein the light shows
are individually selectable by depressing the button 702c until a
particular color is displayed, indicating that a desired light show
has been selected. Thereafter, the light show may proceed
automatically such that the displayed color changes or "morphs"
from one color to a next color, with a transition occurring
therebetween. For example, a reddish-orange color may be initially
displayed for a period of 7 seconds, followed by a transition to an
orange color, and thence to a light yellow-orange color and back to
the reddish-orange color. Each color may be displayed for a period
lasting, for example, 14 seconds, and a 10 second transition
interval may occur between the 14 second periods. The intensities
of the LEDs may be linearly or non-linearly varied over time during
the transition intervals between starting and ending levels wherein
the starting and ending levels result in the displays of the colors
during each 14 second period. Further, if desired, the 14 second
display periods may have a different duration and may, in fact, be
constant or vary in length from period-to-period. Also, the 10
second intervals may be shorter or longer in duration and may be
constant or vary from interval-to-interval. As a further example,
an orange color may be displayed for a first 6 second interval,
followed by a fade for 6 seconds to a yellow color that is
maintained for 12 seconds. Thereafter, a fade may be undertaken for
6 seconds to a green color that is maintained for 12 seconds.
Additional 6 second fades to 12 second color maintenance periods of
blue and pink colors in sequence may be followed by a 6 second fade
to a 6 second orange color, whereupon the entire cycle repeats. Any
other morphing of any number of colors may be undertaken as
desired.
[0181] The user may be provided with a means to pause or stop color
morphing and thereby maintain a currently displayed color by
depressing a pause or stop button. For example, two buttons may be
provided with a first button configured to activate a light show
when initially depressed by the user and to scroll from light show
to light show with each subsequent depression. Depressing the first
button after advancing through a final light show mode deactivates
the light show. A second button may be configured such that when
depressed during the color morphing of the light show, the color
morphing is paused or stopped at the currently displayed color.
When the second button is depressed again, the light show and color
morphing may continue from the point at which the light show was
paused or the light show may be stopped. Depressing the first
button while in the pause or stop mode may advance the light effect
to the next light show with continued color morphing, or, if the
light effect was operating in the last light show mode, the light
effect may be terminated.
[0182] The flowchart of FIG. 51 illustrates programming executed by
the processor 800 for the embodiments incorporating light detecting
sensors (FIGS. 33-38) with the exception of the embodiment
incorporating the thermochromatic strip, which will be described
hereafter. Differing from FIG. 50, a block 834 intercedes between
block 812 and 814 to determine whether the candle is lit. If the
candle is not lit, then control return to the block 810. Otherwise,
if the candle is lit and if any of the blocks 814, 816, 818, or 820
determines that one of the buttons 702a-702d has been depressed,
control passes to one of the series of blocks 822, 824, 826, or
828, respectively. If the candle is lit and none of the blocks 814,
816, 818, or 820 determines that one of the buttons 702a-702d has
been depressed, control passes to block 832.
[0183] The flowchart of FIG. 52 illustrates the operation of the
audio detecting sensors in the control of the light and/or sound
shows. A block 836 determines whether a remote "on" request (for
example, an audible command or other audio signal) has occurred. If
the remote "on" request has occurred, control passes to block 840,
which restores the last light and/or sound show or initiates a
default light and/or sound show that may be preprogrammed or chosen
by a user. If a remote request "on" has not occurred, control
passes to block 838, which determines whether a remote request
"off" has occurred. If a remote request "off" has occurred, then
control reverts to block 810. If a remote request "off" has not
occurred, then control passes to block 830. Further, if none of the
blocks 814, 816, 818, or 820 determines that one of the buttons
702a-702d has been depressed, control passes to block 836 rather
than to block 810 as in FIG. 50.
[0184] The flowchart of FIG. 53 illustrates the operation of heat
sensors (for example, those described above), as well as the
operation of the photosensitive sensor 1324 used in combination
with the thermochromatic strip 1318. This flow chart is similar to
FIG. 50 with the exception that if none of the blocks 814, 816,
818, or 820 determines that one of the buttons 702a-702d has been
depressed, control reverts to block 830, which determines if the
system has been in operation (playing a light and/or sound show)
for 10 minutes. If a 10 minute operation has not occurred, then
control reverts to block 832. Block 832 determines whether any
control button has been depressed, with control reverting to block
810 if not and control reverting to block 812 if so. If a 10 minute
operation has occurred as determined by block 830, control reverts
to block 834, which tests for the condition of whether the candle
is lit. If the candle is lit, then control reverts to block 832, if
not, then control reverts to block 810. This 10 minute operation
time out feature is provided by way of an example, and it is
contemplated that this time out duration may be of any length of
time appropriate for the desired operation of the control unit in
conjunction with the flame sensors or other control mechanism.
[0185] Similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 39-43, FIGS. 55-59
show an additional embodiment of a candle assembly 2000 with a
support base 2002 that supports a melting plate 2004 and is
disposed atop a control unit 2006, which houses electrical
components (not shown but similar to those described above). A
translucent diffuser 2008 disposed beneath the support base 2002
and atop the control unit 2006 diffuses light emitted from a
multi-color LED 2010 that is controlled by the electrical
components. In one embodiment, the multi-color LED 2010 may be a
tri-color LED. Control buttons 2012a and 2012b disposed on a side
of the control unit 2006 are operatively connected to the
electrical components to control light shows emitted from the
tri-color LED 2010. Examples of tri-color LEDs useful in the
present disclosure include those available from Waitrony Co. Ltd.,
Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. Multi-color LEDs useful in the present
disclosure include those having characteristics such as wide angle
light dispersions and tinted plastic covers that reduce the
occurrence of visible hot spots so to create a glow effect within
the candle assembly 2000.
[0186] FIGS. 56 and 57 show a plan view and bottom elevational view
of the candle assembly of FIG. 55, respectively. FIG. 56 shows the
support base 2002 centrally disposed atop the control unit 2006.
The control unit 2006 further includes four feet 2014a-2014d (FIG.
57) that provide support for the candle assembly 2000 and which
space the bottom surface 2016 of the control unit from a support
surface. The bottom surface 2016 of the control unit 2006 includes
a battery door 2018 through which batteries that power both the
electrical components and the tri-color LED 2010 may be accessed
(as described above).
[0187] FIG. 58 shows a partially disassembled candle assembly 2000
revealing the diffuser 2008 and tri-color LED 2010. The diffuser
2008 includes surface geometric features, such as cutout portions
2020 in a top surface 2022 thereof that enable the use of adhesives
to bond the diffuser to other objects including, for example, the
support base 2002. The diffuser 2008 further includes tabs 2024a,
2024b, and 2024c(2024c is visible in FIG. 59) each having an
outturned flange 2026 (only flanges 2026a and 2026b are shown,
2026c is visible in FIG. 59). The tabs 2024a, 2024b, and 2024c and
flanges are inserted into corresponding slots 2028a, 2028b, and
2028c in a recessed surface 2030 of the control unit 2006 to attach
the diffuser 2008 to the control unit 2006 in a fashion similar to
that previously described. A fourth tab, flange, and slot are not
shown. The tri-color LED 2010 is disposed through a cutout 2032
above a top surface 2034 of the control unit 2006.
[0188] Now turning to FIG. 59, the bottom 2036 of the support base
2002 rests on the recessed surface 2030 of the control unit 2006.
The support base 2002 may be attached to the diffuser 2008 via an
adhesive or by any other appropriate method. The diffuser 2008
(shown without an optional central diffusion core) is secured to
the control unit 2006 by means of outturned flanges 2026a, 2026b,
and 2026c that are hooked underneath the recessed surface 2030 of
the control unit. The tri-color LED 2010 is supported by a holder
2038, which extends through the cutout 2032 to the electrical
components 2040 held within the control unit 2006. Located beneath
the. electrical components 2040 is a battery holder 2042 accessible
via the battery door 2018, wherein the batteries are omitted for
purposes of clarity. In addition, an electrical power cord may be
used in place of or in addition to the batteries to power the
control unit.
[0189] Operationally similar to embodiments previously described,
the electrical components 2040 of the control unit 2006 may be
programmed to display a particular number of light shows, wherein
the light shows are individually selectable by depressing a control
button 2012 a until a particular color is displayed, indicating
that a desired light show has been selected. Thereafter, the light
show may proceed automatically such that the displayed color
changes or "morphs" from one color to a next color, with a
transition occurring therebetween. Examples of possible light shows
that may vary are shown in Table 1. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Light
Shows. Pause = 5 seconds Transition = 10 seconds Time (sec) 0 15 30
45 LED Color % R G B R G B R G B R G B Light Show A 73 5 5 100 34 0
71 100 0 100 58 0 Light Show B 2 0 40 29 32 100 0 20 82 0 80 83
Light Show C 0 90 51 0 0 100 2 39 86 31 100 87 Pause = 4 seconds
Transition = 8 seconds Time (sec) 0 12 24 36 48 LED Color % R G B R
G B R G B R G B R G B Light Show D 100 50 0 59 100 0 6 100 16 2 12
100 31 29 39
[0190] As indicated above, each color may be displayed for a period
lasting 4-5 seconds, and an 8-10 second transition interval may
occur between each of the 4-5 second periods. Further, the
durations for maintaining any particular color combination or
transitioning between color combinations may be shorter or longer.
The intensities of the LEDs may be linearly or non-linearly varied
over time during the transition intervals between starting and
ending levels wherein the starting and ending levels result in the
displays of the colors during each 4-5 second period. Upon
completion of each light show cycle, the entire cycle repeats. Any
other morphing of any number of colors may be undertaken as desired
including, for example, a random pattern.
[0191] The control button 2012a activates, selects, and deactivates
the control unit. The user is also provided with a means to pause
or stop color morphing and thereby maintain a currently displayed
color by depressing a pause or stop button 2012b. Illustratively, a
light show is activated when 2012a is initially depressed by the
user, and subsequent scrolling from light show to light show occurs
with each subsequent depression until reaching a final light show
when a subsequent depression deactivates the light show and the
control unit reverts back to a sleep mode. The second button 2012b
may be configured such that when depressed during the color
morphing of the light show, the color morphing is paused or stopped
at the currently displayed color. When the second button is
depressed again, the light show and color morphing may continue
from the point at which the light show was paused or the light show
may be stopped. Depressing the first button while in the pause or
stop mode may advance the light effect to the next light show with
continued color morphing, or if the light effect was operating in
the last light show mode, the light effect may be terminated. Once
activated, a light show may cycle continuously until the user turns
off the light show, until no battery power remains, or until a time
out limit is reached, for example, a preprogrammed duration of 1
hour.
[0192] Similar to the functional system diagrams previously
discussed, FIG. 60 illustrates the functional interconnectivity of
electrical components included in the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 55-59. For example, one or more batteries 2044a, 2044b,
2044c, and 2044d of suitable capacity and type provide power to a
digital processing unit 2046 (for example, a programmable
microprocessor or an application specific integrated circuit
((ASIC)). The power provided by the batteries may be conditioned as
required and may be supplied via a diode 2048 that acts as a
battery reversal protection device. The diode 2048 protects the
processing unit 2046 and/or other components from damage if one or
more batteries 2044a, 2044b, 2044c, and 2044d is inserted into the
battery holder 2042 in reverse orientation. The digital processing
unit 2046 may include, for example, a PWM generator, a lamp driver,
and pattern storage and program storage capabilities to implement
the one or more light shows emitted by the tri-color LED 2010 upon
depressing control buttons 2012a and 2012b. In this regard, the
processing unit 2046 has three independent output terminals coupled
by lines 2047r, 2047g, and 2047b to red, green, and blue terminals
of the LED 2010 and a fourth terminal coupled by a line 2047c to a
common terminal of the LED so that the red, green, and blue
portions of the LED can be independently controlled.
[0193] It is understood that the terminology used herein is
intended to be in the nature of description rather than of
limitation. All patents, published patent applications, and other
references disclosed herein are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety. The various components of the various candle
assemblies described herein may be packaged as an assembled unit,
as an unassembled kit including all or a portion of the components,
as individual components, and/or in any combination thereof.
Different and various combinations of the herein-mentioned
components of the various candle assemblies can also be used in the
apparatuses, methods, kits, and combinations herein described.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0194] The candle assemblies disclosed herein may be used to
support a votive-type candle, such as the fuel element described
herein. Sound and/or light features may be added to provide a
pleasing experience for the user and can be controlled.
[0195] Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
description is illustrative only.
* * * * *