Heater for scented candles

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for heating a scented candle so as to release scent therefrom in the absence of an open flame. The device includes a housing for retaining the candle. The housing is fabricated from a material having a low thermal conductivity. The device further includes an electrical heater in thermal communication with the housing. The heater warms the candle, and the low thermal conductivity housing aids in retaining heat in the candle thereby causing scent to be released therefrom.

1 .- 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A warming device, comprising: 
 a base portion including a first material;    a housing including a second material, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom portion, wherein the housing is supported by the base portion;    an interior volume defined by the cylindrical sidewall and the bottom portion of the housing; and    a heater directly exposed to and in thermal communication with the interior volume.    
   
   
       19 . The warming device of  claim 18 , wherein the heater is partially disposed in the bottom portion of the housing.  
   
   
       20 . The warming device of  claim 18 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity less than 0.16 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       21 . The warming device of  claim 18 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity less than 0.01 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       22 . The warming device of  claim 18 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity less than 0.005 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       23 . The warming device of  claim 22 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity ranging between about 0.005-0.001 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       24 . The warming device of  claim 18 , wherein said cylindrical sidewall and said bottom portion of said housing define means for containing a scented liquid.  
   
   
       25 . The warming device of  claim 24 , wherein said means for containing a scented liquid includes means for containing scented liquid wax.  
   
   
       26 . A warming device, comprising: 
 a base portion including a first material, wherein the base portion includes a top portion;    a housing including a second material, wherein the housing includes a cylindrical sidewall, wherein the housing is supported by the base portion;    an interior volume defined by the cylindrical sidewall of the housing and the top portion of the base portion; and    a heater directly exposed to and in thermal communication with the interior volume.    
   
   
       27 . The warming device of  claim 26 , wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes a U-shaped cross-section having opposing wall portions that form an enclosed insulating space within the cylindrical sidewall.  
   
   
       28 . The warming device of  claim 27 , wherein the enclosed insulating space includes air.  
   
   
       29 . The warming device of  claim 27 , wherein the enclosed insulating space includes glass fiber.  
   
   
       30 . The warming device of  claim 27 , wherein the enclosed insulating space includes mineral fiber.  
   
   
       31 . The warming device of  claim 26 , wherein the heater is partially disposed in and supported by the top portion of the base portion.  
   
   
       32 . The warming device of  claim 26 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity less than 0.16 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       33 . The warming device of  claim 26 , wherein said second material includes a thermal conductivity less than 0.01 (cal/sec)/(cm 2 ° C./cm).  
   
   
       34 . The warming device of  claim 26 , wherein said cylindrical sidewall and said bottom portion of said housing define means for containing a scented liquid.  
   
   
       35 . The warming device of  claim 34 , wherein said means for containing a scented liquid includes means for containing scented liquid wax.