Scented imitation candle device

• US 10,302,263 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2018
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Xiaofeng Li
• Inventors: Li, Xiaofeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Regina M
• Application Number:
  US15/886,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20180292058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/12 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/132 Piezo or ultrasonic elements for dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/135 Vaporisers for active components
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/032 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices relating to an electronic scented candle that is convenient to use and enables rapid generation and dissipation of scented materials are described. One electronic candle device includes a shell that has a through hole, a flame element protruding through the through hole, an installation lid including a locking base to allow removable coupling of a fragrance container, a scent chamber including a locking clip, a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The scent chamber is removably coupled to the locking base by the locking clip, and an air pump provided to supply pressurized air.

Claims

1. An electronic candle device, comprising:

a shell including a through hole;

a flame element protruding through the through hole;

an installation lid including a locking base to allow removable coupling of a fragrance container;

a scent chamber including a locking clip, a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel, wherein the scent chamber is removably coupled to the locking base by the locking clip; and

an air pump configured to pump air,

wherein the first channel of the scent chamber is positioned to direct the pumped air to exit the scent chamber,

wherein the second channel of the scent chamber is positioned to draw, under air pressure of the pumped air, a fragrance material into the scent chamber,

wherein the third channel of the scent chamber is coupled to the air pump to allow pumped air to enter the scent chamber, and

wherein the fourth channel of the scent chamber is coupled to the through hole to allow a fragrance material to reach an external environment of the electronic candle device.

2. The electronic candle device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fragrance container that is removably connectable to the installation lid,

wherein the first channel of the scent chamber is removably connectable to a first section of the fragrance container to direct the pumped air into the fragrance container, and

wherein the second channel of the scent chamber is removably connectable to a second section of the fragrance container to draw the fragrance material from the fragrance container into the scent chamber.

3. The electronic candle device of claim 2, wherein the installation lid includes a protrusion to facilitate correct alignment of the installation lid and the fragrance container.

4. The electronic candle device of claim 3, further comprising an indicator positioned at an external surface of the electronic candle device to indicate a location of the protrusion.

5. The electronic candle device of claim 2, wherein the shell includes an observation window corresponding to the fragrance container for allowing a user to observe a remaining quantity of the fragrance material in the fragrance container.

6. The electronic candle device of claim 5, comprising a light source positioned within the shell, the light source configured to illuminate a fragrance container so that a remaining quantity of a fragrance material in the fragrance container can be observed via the observation window.

7. The electronic candle device of claim 2, comprising a light source positioned in proximity to the through hole,

wherein the air pomp is configured to pump air at a high pressure to allow the fragrance material in the fragrance container to reach the external environment in a smoke form, and

wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the flame element and the fragrance material in the smoke form to create an appearance of a real flame.

8. The device of claim 1, further including a fifth channel coupled to the first channel of the scent chamber and a sixth channel coupled to the second channel of the scent chamber.

9. The electronic candle device of claim 8, further including a suction tube coupled to the sixth channel to facilitate drawing of the fragrance material the scent chamber.

10. The electronic candle device of claim 1, wherein the installation lid includes a mount support positioned removably on the installation lid to facilitate coupling of a fragrance container.

11. The electronic candle device of claim 1, Wherein a first end of the second channel that is coupled to the scent chamber has a smaller dimension than a second end of the second channel.

12. The electronic candle device of claim 1, wherein the second channel has a tapered shape.

13. The electronic candle device of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the scent chamber has a funnel shape.

14. The electronic candle device of claim 1, comprising:

a central control circuit,

a power supply, and

one or more tilt sensors, wherein each of the one or more tilt sensors is configured to sense a tilt angle of the electronic candle device, the one or more tilt sensors further configured to transmit a signal to the central control circuit to shut down the power supply upon sensing that the tilt angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold angle.

15. The electronic candle device of claim 14, wherein the predetermined threshold angle is 45 degrees.

16. The electronic candle device of claim 14, comprising a valve coupled to the fourth channel, wherein the valve is configured to, upon receiving a signal from the central control circuit indicative that the tilt angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold angle, close the fourth channel to prevent the fragrance material from spilling outside of the electronic candle device.

17. The electronic candle device of claim 1, comprising a sound insulation layer around the air pump for reducing noise caused by the air pump to lower than or equal to 55 dB.

18. The electronic candle device of claim 1, comprising an anti-vibration component positioned at an external side of the air pump for reducing vibration caused by the air pump.

19. The electronic candle device of claim 1, wherein the flame element is configured to retract into the shell when the electronic candle device is turned off.

20. The electronic candle device of claim 1, comprising a dark-colored component protruding through the through hole, the dark-colored component configured to have an appearance of a wick.