Fireplace assembly with aromatherapy system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a fireplace assembly is provided that includes a firebox partially surrounded by an outer housing and a receptacle carried by the outer housing. The outer housing is spaced apart from the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox. The fireplace assembly further includes an airflow passageway having an inlet and an outlet. The receptacle is positioned above the firebox in fluid communication with the airflow passageway. The receptacle is configured to hold a selected aromatic material that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway between the inlet and the outlet when the receptacle is heated by heat from the firebox. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims (37 C.F.R. 1.72( b )).

1 . A fireplace assembly, comprising: 
 a firebox;    an outer housing surrounding the firebox and spaced apart from portions of the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox, the airflow passageway having an inlet and an outlet; and    a receptacle integrally connected to the outer housing and in fluid communication with the airflow passageway, receptacle being movable relative to the outer housing between an open position and a closed position, the receptacle being recessed within the outer housing and positioned adjacent to the airflow passageway when the receptacle is in the closed position, the receptacle being in proximity to the firebox to be heated by heat from the firebox and configured to contain a selected aromatic material that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway between the inlet and the outlet when the receptacle is heated by heat from the firebox.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the firebox contains a burner assembly connectable to a gas source.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the selected aromatic material when the receptacle is in the open position.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle slides relative to the outer housing between the open and closed positions.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is positioned above the firebox.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is positioned at least partially in the airflow passageway.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an aromatic material in the receptacle and that evaporates when heated by the heat from the firebox.  
   
   
       8 . A fireplace insert, comprising: 
 a firebox;    a fireplace insert housing partially surrounding the firebox and spaced apart from portions of the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox, the airflow passageway having an inlet and an outlet; and    a receptacle carried by the fireplace insert housing adjacent to the outlet and in fluid communication with the airflow passageway, the receptacle being movable relative to the firebox between an open position and a recessed closed position the receptacle in proximity to the firebox to be heated by heat from the firebox when in the closed position and configured to contain a selected aromatic material that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway between the inlet and the outlet when the receptacle is heated by the heat from the firebox to provide an aromatic airflow out of the airflow passageway through the outlet.    
   
   
       9 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein the firebox contains a burner assembly connectable to a gas source.  
   
   
       10 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the selected aromatic fluid when the receptacle is in the open position.  
   
   
       11 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein the receptacle slides relative to the housing between open and closed positions.  
   
   
       12 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein the receptacle is positioned above the firebox.  
   
   
       13 . The insert of  claim 8  wherein the receptacle is positioned at least partially in the airflow passageway.  
   
   
       14 . The insert of  claim 8 , further comprising an aromatic material in the receptacle and that evaporates when heated by the heat from the firebox.  
   
   
       15 . A fireplace frame for attachment to a fireplace insert having an outer housing surrounding a firebox and spaced apart from portions of the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox, the frame comprising: 
 a support member configured for attachment to a portion of the fireplace insert; and    a receptacle carried by the support member and in fluid communication with the airflow passageway, the receptacle in proximity to the firebox to be heated by heat from the firebox and configured to contain a selected aromatic material that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway when the receptacle is heated by the heat from the firebox to provide an aromatic airflow out of the airflow passageway, wherein the receptacle is movable relative to the support portion between an open position and a closed position.    
   
   
       16 . The frame of  claim 15  wherein the receptacle being configured to receive the selected aromatic material when the receptacle is in the open position.  
   
   
       17 . The frame of  claim 15  wherein the receptacle slides relative to the support member between the open and closed positions.  
   
   
       18 . The frame of  claim 15  wherein the receptacle is positioned above the firebox.  
   
   
       19 . The frame of  claim 15  wherein the receptacle is positioned at least partially in the airflow passageway.  
   
   
       20 . The frame of  claim 15 , further comprising an aromatic material in the receptacle and that evaporates when heated by the heat from the firebox.  
   
   
       21 . A heating appliance, comprising: 
 a firebox;    an outer housing surrounding the firebox and spaced apart from portions of the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox, the airflow passageway having an inlet and an outlet; and    a receptacle movably coupled to the outer housing and in fluid communication with the airflow passageway, the receptacle being translatable relative to the outer housing between an extended open position and a recessed closed position the receptacle being in proximity to the firebox to be heated by heat from the firebox and configured to contain a selected aromatic material that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway between the inlet and the outlet when the receptacle is heated by the heat from the firebox.    
   
   
       22 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the appliance is a stove.  
   
   
       23 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the appliance is a fireplace.  
   
   
       24 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the appliance is a fireplace insert.  
   
   
       25 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the selected aromatic material when the receptacle is in the open position.  
   
   
       26 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the receptacle slides relative to the outer housing between open and closed positions.  
   
   
       27 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the receptacle is positioned above the firebox.  
   
   
       28 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  wherein the receptacle is positioned at least partially in the airflow passageway.  
   
   
       29 . The heating appliance of  claim 21  further comprising an aromatic material in the receptacle and that evaporates when heated by the heat from the firebox.  
   
   
       30 . A fireplace assembly, comprising: 
 a firebox;    an outer housing surrounding the firebox and spaced apart from portions of the firebox to define an airflow passageway around the firebox, the airflow passageway having an inlet and an outlet;    a receptacle carried by the outer housing and being movable between an open position and a closed position, the receptacle being adjacent to the outlet of the airflow passageway when in the closed position, the receptacle in the closed position being in proximity to the firebox to be heated by heat from the firebox; and    a selected aromatic material in the receptacle that evaporates and mixes with airflow moving through the airflow passageway between the inlet and the outlet of the airflow passageway when the aromatic material is heated by the heat from the firebox.