Decorative article with display of flame

Abstract

A decorative article, comprising a body portion having an exterior surface bearing one or both of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ornamentation, a hollow interior, a bottom for resting upon a support surface, and a top vertically spaced-apart from the bottom, the top including a first opening therein, and a vessel disposed in the first opening, the vessel defining a reservoir for holding a limited and exhaustible supply of a liquid or gelatinous flammable material which is ignitable to create a display of flame, and the vessel contacting an area of the body portion surrounding the first opening so as to be supported within the opening. At least one of the vessel and the body portion comprise at least one outlet opening defined therethrough communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow heated air to escape from the hollow interior of the body portion.

1 . A decorative article, comprising:
 a body portion having an exterior surface bearing one or both of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ornamentation, a hollow interior, a bottom for resting upon a support surface, and a top vertically spaced-apart from the bottom, the top including a first opening therein;   a vessel disposed in the first opening, the vessel defining a reservoir for holding a limited and exhaustible supply of a liquid or gelatinous flammable material which is ignitable to create a display of flame, and the vessel contacting an area of the body portion surrounding the first opening so as to be supported within the opening; and   wherein at least one of the vessel and the body portion comprise at least one outlet opening defined therethrough communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow heated air to escape from the hollow interior of the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The decorative article of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet opening comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the top thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The decorative article of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one inlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the bottom thereof, the at least one inlet opening communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow ambient air into the hollow interior of the portion. 
     
     
         4 . The decorative article of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The decorative article of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The decorative article of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet opening comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The decorative article of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one inlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the bottom thereof, the at least one inlet opening communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow ambient air into the hollow interior of the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The decorative article of  claim 6 , wherein each at least one outlet opening defines a slit. 
     
     
         9 . The decorative article of  claim 6 , wherein each at least one outlet opening defines a circular-shaped opening. 
     
     
         10 . The decorative article of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet opening comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the area of the body portion surrounding the first opening, each at least one outlet opening in the area of the body portion surrounding the opening being positioned so as to be at least partially uncovered by the vessel when the same is supported within the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The decorative article of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one inlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the bottom thereof, the at least one inlet opening communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow ambient air into the hollow interior of the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The decorative article of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The decorative article of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The decorative article of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the body portion surrounding the first opening comprises an upwardly projecting collar disposed about a periphery of the opening, the collar defining an upper edge for supportably receiving thereon a shoulder defined about a perimeter of the vessel; and
 wherein further the at least one outlet opening comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the upwardly projecting collar.   
     
     
         15 . The decorative article of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one inlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the bottom thereof, the at least one inlet opening communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow ambient air into the hollow interior of the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The decorative article of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The decorative article of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a notch opening onto the upper edge of the collar. 
     
     
         18 . The decorative article of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one inlet opening defined through the body portion proximate the bottom thereof, the at least one inlet opening communicating with the hollow interior of the body in order to allow ambient air into the hollow interior of the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . The decorative article of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one outlet opening further comprises at least one outlet opening defined through the vessel.