Aromatic substance heating device

Abstract

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

1 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface, configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) i) an outer perimeter comprising an outer side wall, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and 
 ii) an inner perimeter comprising an inner side wall, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the inner perimeter being circumscribed by the outer perimeter and defining an opening in the substance container;  
   each side wall being configured to contain and transfer heat to an aromatic substance;    c) an outer retaining lip extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer side wall; and    d) an inner retaining lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner side wall.    
   
   
       2 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) the bottom surface is substantially annular and has a defined center vertical axis;    b) i) the outer side wall circumscribes the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface, and 
 ii) the inner side wall is located between the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface and the outer side wall,  
   c) the outer retaining lip extends i) upwardly from the outer side wall and ii) laterally toward the defined center vertical axis of the annular bottom surface; and    d) the inner retaining lip extends i) upwardly from the inner side wall and ii) laterally away from the defined center vertical axis of the annular bottom surface.    
   
   
       3 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface and outer and inner side walls are comprised of a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       4 . A container in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the outer and inner retaining lips are comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction.  
   
   
       5 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the inner and outer retaining lips, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
   
   
       6 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the outer and inner side walls, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
   
   
       7 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid having a lower vapor pressure at a lower temperature, and that is a liquid having a higher vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
   
   
       8 . A container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a candle wax.  
   
   
       9 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a bottom surface, configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) i) an outer perimeter comprising an outer side wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface; and 
 ii) an inner perimeter comprising an inner side wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the inner perimeter defining an opening in the substance container being configured to at least partially enclose a light source;  
   each side wall being configured to transfer heat to an aromatic substance;    
   
   
       10 . A container in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the bottom surface and outer and inner side walls are comprised of a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       11 . A container in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a) an outer retaining lip extending upwardly and inwardly from the outer side wall; and    b) an inner retaining lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner side wall.    
   
   
       12 . A container in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the outer and inner retaining lips are comprised of a material that inhibits thermal conduction.  
   
   
       13 . A container in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the inner and outer retaining lips, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
   
   
       14 . A container in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to a top of each of the outer and inner side walls, the cover being configured to cover and protect contents of the aromatic substance container.  
   
   
       15 . A container in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a substance that is a solid having a lower vapor pressure at a lower temperature, and that is a liquid having a higher vapor pressure at an elevated temperature.  
   
   
       16 . A container in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the aromatic substance includes a candle wax.  
   
   
       17 . An aromatic substance container, comprising: 
 a) a substantially annular bottom surface comprised of a thermally conductive material, having a defined center vertical axis, and being configured to be heated by a heat source;    b) a conductive outer side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom surface and circumscribing the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface, and a conductive inner side wall comprised of a thermally conductive material, extending upwardly from the bottom surface and located between the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface and the outer side wall;    c) an aromatic substance, contained within a cavity formed by the bottom surface and the conductive outer and inner side walls;    d) an outer retaining lip extending i) upwardly from the conductive outer side wall and ii) laterally toward the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface; and    e) an inner retaining lip extending i) upwardly from the conductive interior side wall and ii) laterally away from the defined center vertical axis of the bottom surface.