Electronic flameless candle

• US 9,371,972 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Xiaofeng Li
• Inventors: Li, Xiaofeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US14/297,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20140286024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 362/392, 362/810
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/127 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• 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: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

An electronic flameless candle including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a cavity defined by the top surface, the bottom surface and the sidewall, the body configured in shape and size to simulate a true flame candle. The candle may also include a light source operably connected to the body, the light source electrically operated to illuminate in a way that simulates a natural flicker of a real candle flame. The candle may also include a scent component, operably connected to the body, the scent component configured to emit a scent when heated and/or a sensor component, operably connected to the body, the sensor component configured to sense an environmental condition and affect a mode of the light source upon the sensing of the environmental condition.

Claims

1. An electronic flameless candle, comprising:

a body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a cavity defined by the top surface, the bottom surface and the sidewall, the body configured to simulate a true flame candle; and

a light source operably connected to the body and positioned to be generally flush with and completely below an exterior surface of the body so as to shine light emitted by the light source from the cavity out onto the sidewall of the body, the light source electrically operated to illuminate in a way that simulates a natural flicker of a real candle.

2. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a LED.

3. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the light source receives a random digital signal, the random digital signal varying in at least one of amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle.

4. The electronic flameless candle of claim 3, wherein the random digital signal forms part of a pulse-width modulation signal.

5. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein one or more cavity walls of the cavity are partially transparent.

6. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, further comprising a control switch comprising the light source.

7. The electronic flameless candle of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the control switch is configured in shape and size to simulate a true flame candle'"'"'s wick.

8. The electronic flameless candle of claim 6, wherein the control switch is a push button control switch.

9. The electronic flameless candle of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the control switch including the light source is encompassed by a sheath.

10. The electronic flameless candle of claim 9, wherein the sheath is at least semitransparent.

11. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the cavity defines an area configured to allow light emanating from the light source to illuminate a lower portion of the sidewall that is distal to the light source.

12. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned to transmit light above the exterior surface, as well as below the exterior surface into the cavity.

13. The electronic flameless candle of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface includes the top surface of the body.

14. The electronic flameless candle of claim 13, comprising:

a wick component configured in shape and size to simulate a true flame candle'"'"'s wick, wherein the wick component is connected to the light source and is positioned above the top surface of the body.

15. An electronic flameless candle, comprising:

a body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall between the top surface and the bottom surface, the body configured to simulate a true flame candle;

a cavity positioned within the body, the cavity defined by a top cavity surface, a bottom cavity surface, and a cavity sidewall surface between the top cavity surface and the bottom cavity surface, wherein the cavity surfaces are at least partially transparent;

a light source operably configured in the body; and

a physical switch configured in shape and size to simulate a true flame candle'"'"'s wick, wherein the physical switch is physically connected to the light source and positioned above the light source so that the light source is completely within the cavity.

16. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the light source is operably configured in the body using a retaining assembly, the retaining assembly being comprised of a material that is at least partially transparent.

17. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the light source comprises a LED.

18. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the light source receives a random digital signal, the random digital signal varying in at least one of amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle.

19. The electronic flameless candle of claim 18, wherein the random digital signal forms part of a pulse-width modulation signal.

20. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the physical switch configured in shape and size to simulate the true flame candle'"'"'s wick is further configured to activate or deactivate one or more functions of the electronic flameless candle responsive to a push or slide input.

21. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the physical switch is a push button control switch.

22. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the physical switch is encompassed by a sheath.

23. The electronic flameless candle of claim 22, wherein the sheath is at least semitransparent.

24. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the cavity defines an area configured to allow light emanating from the light source to illuminate a lower portion of the sidewall that is distal to the light source.

25. The electronic flameless candle of claim 15, wherein the light source is positioned to transmit light above the top surface of the body, as well as below the top surface of the body into the cavity.