Patent Application
20150003076
[Not Applicable]
[Not Applicable]
Generally, this application relates to techniques for constructing flameless candles. Specifically, this application discloses the implementation of an insert for a flameless candle to improve the quality of emanating light.
Certain flameless candles may use a plastic shell. A light source may generate light that emanates through the shell. The plastic shell may be coated with a waxen material which is relatively thin. Such a plastic material may be useful because it may be relatively hard and can be machined or formed to relatively precise tolerances or specifications. For example, a plastic shell can be manufactured to have grooves, ledges, threads, etc., which may be more difficult or less durable if wax is used.
While plastic may have certain advantages over wax, it does not tend to diffuse light as one may expect from a traditional flamed candle. Thus, a plastic shell may create unwanted shadows or otherwise create a lighting effect that presents a poor illusion of a traditional candle.
Therefore, it may be useful to have a flameless candle that creates a better illusion of a traditional candle without sacrificing the benefits of certain aspects of plastic construction.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a flameless candle includes a shell that has a sidewall and a hollow interior region. The sidewall can be made of a waxen material. The sidewall has a thickness and opacity. The shell also has a hollow interior region within the sidewall. A lamp (for example, LED) may be housed within the hollow interior region.
The flameless candle also includes an insert. The insert can be made of a waxen material that may have different properties from the material of the sidewall. The insert is positioned in a top area of the hollow interior region. The insert includes a shading wall that has a thickness and opacity. The thickness of the sidewall may be different than the thickness of the shading wall. As another option, the opacity of the sidewall may be different from the opacity of the shading wall.
In an embodiment, the shell has an aperture that allows the insert to be positioned within the top area of the hollow interior region. In another embodiment, the shading wall acts as a sidewall around the lamp. In another embodiment the shading wall of the insert forms a top wall above the lamp. In another embodiment, the shading wall of the insert comprises a hollow interior region configured to cover the lamp.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.
The shell 110 may be made of a wax or waxen material. The housing 110 may have a battery compartment to house the batteries 150 (for example, two batteries in series). The shell 110 may also have a compartment to house the separation portion 160, the lamp 170, or the insert 130. The shell 110 may have an opening (for example, through the bottom) to receive the batteries 150. A mating portion (for example, female threads) may also be located near the bottom of the shell 110 to mate with the cap 120. The shell 110 may include a sidewall that may be formed of or include a waxen material. The sidewall may have a thickness and opacity. A hollow interior region within the sidewall may house the lamp 170.
The separation portion 160 may separate the lamp 170 (for example, an LED) from a terminal of one of the batteries 150. The separation portion 160 may accommodate one or more conductors to provide power to the lamp 170. The separation portion 160 or the lamp 170 may also accommodate additional electronics (for example, a flickering circuit, a current limiting resistor, etc.) for the candle 100.
The conductor 140 may extend from the separation portion 160 or lamp 170 and past the distal battery terminal. The conductor 140 may extend through the separation portion and to the lamp 170. For example the conductor 140 may be directly soldered or connected to one of the leads of the lamp 170.
The plastic shell 110 may diffuse light from the lamp 170 in a way that does not effectively present an illusion of a traditional flamed candle. The insert 130, however may diffuse light from the lamp 170 in a more natural way and without unwanted shadows. By selecting the opacity or thickness of the insert 130, it may be possible to control the illumination of the candle 100.
The thickness of the sidewall of the shell 110 may be different from the thickness of the shading wall of the insert 130. Additionally, the opacity of the sidewall of the shell 110 may be different from the opacity of the shading wall of the insert 130. Moreover, the qualities of light diffusion between the shell 110 and insert 130 may also be different. These and other qualities of the insert 130 may diffuse light from the lamp in a more natural or desirable manner.
The insert 130 may also improve illumination characteristics of a colored candle. For example, when colored materials (for example, colored waxes) are used, the colorations may interfere with the light from a light source. For example, red pigments in wax may interfere with the intensity of light that is emitted by a light source in a candle. However, by using an insert 130 that has a neutral color (for example, white), the shell 110 or waxen coating may be colored. This configuration may improve the intensity and quality of illumination from a colored flameless candle 100 (for example, a red candle or a blue candle).
The shading wall of the insert 130 may include a sidewall around the lamp. The shading wall of the insert 130 may include a hollow interior region that covers the lamp 170. Additionally, the shading wall of the insert 130 may have a top wall above the lamp 170. A simulated wick 180 may be positioned above the top wall of the insert 130 and above the lamp 170.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/253,436 filed Oct. 5, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13253436 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Child | 14485912 | US |
