US20040187859A1

US20040187859A1 - Cup warmer

Info

Publication number: US20040187859A1
Application number: US10/397,806
Authority: US
Inventors: Chien-Ting Tseng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2004-09-30

Abstract

A cup warmer is essentially comprised of a support, a base and a warming plate; the base and the warming plate being respectively provided at the bottom and top of the support; a candle plate being placed on the base and a cup on the warming plate, the heat from the burning candle being concentrated and restricted by heat fender disposed at the warming plate, then released through central opening and air guide passage of the warming plate to keep warming the cup, thus the contents therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a cup warmer, and more particularly, to one that contains a plate exclusively for holding a candle to keep a cup placed on the plate warmed for a longer time by burning the candle and air convection.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

In bitter cold season or area, coffee, tea or wine usually winds up ice cold in no time before one can really enjoys a cup of hot drink. There are heating devices operating on electricity generally available in the market to keep the hot drink warming. However, those devices works by using electric heating coils or devices that generate heat when conducted, and the contents in the cup is indirectly heated; furthermore, as limited by the length of the power cord, they are prevented from been carried around as one desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer to directly and indirectly keep the cup, thus the contents in the cup warmed for a longer time. To achieve the purpose, the present invention exclusively adapted for burning candle as its heat source, is essentially comprised of a support having its bottom and top respectively provided with a base and a warming plate. Wherein, spacing is provided below the support (or multiple ventilation pores are provided on the support) to admit air. A candle plate is provided on the base, and a central opening and multiple air guide passages are provided on the warming plate. Therefore, while the candle is burning, air convection takes place in the spacing at the bottom of the support. The heat passes through the central opening and those air guide passages to directly and indirectly keep the cup, thus the contents in the cup warmed for a longer time.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, the base at the bottom of the support is either integrated with support or separately provided. That is, the base is directly integrated to the bottom of the support, or attached to the bottom of the support by means of insertion, locking, adhesion or packing.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, a tray is provided at the center of the base at the bottom of the support for the placement of a candle plate; and a layer of refractory material is paved on the tray to isolate it from the candle plate to ensure that the base will not be overheated.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, the base at the bottom of the support relates to a hollowed frame, and multiple feet are provided below the frame to define a proper spacing for admitting the ambient air. The height of the foot is made greater than the depth of the tray so to keep the tray a certain distance from the surface where the cup warmer is placed (e.g., desk top) without directly contacting the surface for better insulation effect.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, a heat fender is provided continuously or intermittently surrounding the inner circumference of the central opening of the warming plate at where between any two abutted air guide passages of the warming plate on top of the support. The heat from the burning candle as restricted by the heat fender is concentrated to be guided through and released out of the central opening and those air guide passages of the warming plate, thus to prevent the support from being overheated.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, the warming plate is pivoted to the support so that the warming plate can be lifted up to facilitate the placement and replacement of the candle plate into the base.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, the cup is placed on the warming plate provided on the top of the support, and one or more than one air guide pore is provided on the warming plate at where close to the respective air guide passage is provided. The air guide pore being connected through the air guide passage also leads the heat to warm the cup on the warming plate.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide a cup warmer; wherein, the air guide passage provided to the warming plate on top of the support extends upward inside out at a certain inclination to facilitate guiding the heat to rise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment as assembled. [0014]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembly of the preferred embodiment is in use. [0015]
FIG. 4 is a view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing that multiple holes for air convection are provided on the peripheral wall at the bottom of the support. [0016]
FIG. 5 is a view of another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention showing that the heat fender is intermittently provided surrounding the inner circumference of the heating plate at where between any two abutted air guide passages. [0017]
FIG. 6 is a view of another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention showing that the warming plate is pivoted to the support. [0018]
FIG. 7 is a view of another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention showing that multiple air guide pores are provided to the air guide passage. [0019]
FIG. 8 is a view of another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention showing that the air guide passage extends upward inside out at a certain inclination. [0020]
FIG. 9 is a view of another preferred embodiment yet of a warming plate of the present invention. [0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a cup warmer of the present invention is essentially comprised of a [0022] support 1, a base 2 and a warming plate 3; wherein,
the [0023] support 1, related to a hollow body having at its bottom and top respectively adapted with the base 2 and the warming plate 3; one or more than one recess 11 being provided on the upper circumference, and one or more than one holes 12 is provided on the peripheral wall for the candle light to be emitted for adding romantic atmosphere to the environment;
the [0024] base 2, being provided at the bottom of the support 1, either integrated with or provided separately from the support 1; as illustrated, a standalone base 2 is attached to the bottom of the support 1 by means of insertion, locking, adhesion or packing, a tray 21 is provided at the center of the base 2 to receive the placement of a candle plate 4; a layer of refractory material 211 is paved on top of the tray 21 to isolate the heat from the candle plate so to prevent the base 2 from being overheated; the base 2 may be provided in the form of a hollowed frame and multiple feet being provided below the frame to define a proper spacing to admit the air; the height of each foot 22 is greater than the depth of the tray 21 so to keep a proper spacing between the tray 21 and the surface the cup warmer is placed upon (e.g., desktop) for better insulation effect; and multiple retainers 23 being provided on the peripheral wall of the tray to help the candle plate 4 staying in position whenever the cup warmer is moved around; and
the [0025] warming plate 3, made of refractory material (e.g., metal, ceramic or vitreous material), having a flushed surface 31, a central opening 32, and one ore more than one air guide passage 33 to match the recess 11, and one or more than one air guide pore 34 being provided close to and connected through its corresponding air guide passage 33; and a heat fender 35 being provided continuously or intermittently surrounding the inner circumference of the central opening 32 at where between any two abutted air guide pore 34 for the heat to be concentrated and released through the central opening 32, the air guide passage 33 or the air guide pore 34 to create air convection.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, a [0026] cup 5 us placed on the surface 31 of the cup warmer 3. Air required for burning the candle is supplied from the bottom of the support 1, and the heat from the burning candle passes through the central opening 32, the air guide passage 33 or air guide pore 34 to maintain directly and indirectly warming the cup 5, thus to keep the contents (e.g., coffee, tea, wine or fragrant essence) in the cup 5 warmed for a longer time.
A proper spacing is defined between the [0027] support 1 and the surface the cup warmer is placed upon due to the base 2 is provided at the bottom of the support 1 to admit the air for maintaining better air convection when the candle is burning. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 4 for another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more than one pores 36 that permits air convection is forthwith provided on the peripheral wall at the bottom of the support 1 to achieve the same air convection effect.
In another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5, a [0028] heat fender 35 a is intermittently provided surrounding the inner circumference of the central opening 32 of the warming plate 3 at where between any two abutted air guide passages 33 to fend off the heat from the burning candle, thus to prevent the support 1 from being damaged or getting too hot to fetch due to heat accumulated inside the support.
The [0029] warming plate 3 on top of the support 1 is pivoted to the support 1 as illustrated in FIG. 6 so that the warming plate 3 can be easily lifted up for placing the candle plate 4 on the base 2, or replacing the candle plate 4.
Multiple [0030] air guide pores 34 a as illustrated in FIG. 7 are also provided at where close to each corresponding air guide passage 33 by referring to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein, only one air guide pore 34 is provided at where close to each corresponding air guide passage 33.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the [0031] air guide passage 33 a of the warming plate 3 extends upward and inside out at a certain inclination to facilitate guiding the heat to rise.
Now referring to FIG. 9, the [0032] warming plate 3 is comprised of an upper member 301 and a lower member 302. Wherein, the upper member 301 is related to a flat plate and provided with the central opening 32 and one or more than one air guide pore 34 while one or more than one air guide recess 303 and the heat fender 35 continuously or intermittently surrounding the inner circumference of a matching opening in the lower member 302 are relatively provided on the lower member 302. When both members 301, 302 are incorporated to each other (e.g., by spot welding), the air guide recess 303 becomes the equivalent to the air guide passage 33.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are given only for better understanding of the design and assembly of the Cup warmer of the present invention, and not to limit the technical scope of the present invention; therefore, any equivalent application, summary change or substitute made pursuant to the technical means disclosed herein shall fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [0033]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cup warmer is essentially comprised of a support, a base and a warming plate characterized by that:

the support, related to a hollow body having at its bottom and top respectively adapted with the base and the warming plate; the base, provided at the bottom of the support, having a tray for placement of a candle plate, multiple feet below to define a spacing for the bottom of the supper; and

the warming plate, made of refractory material to hold the cup, having a central opening, one or more than one air guide passage, and a heat fender provided between any two abutted air guide passages;

when assembled, the cup being placed on the warming plate, air required for burning a candle being provided from the bottom of the support, heat from the burning candle passing through the central opening and the air guide passage to maintain directly and indirectly warming the cup.

2. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, one or more than one air convection pore is provided on the peripheral wall at the bottom of the support.

3. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the heat fender is continuously or intermittently provided to the warming plate.

4. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the warming plate is pivoted to the support.

5. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, one or more than one air guide pore is provided on the warming plate at where close to and connected through the corresponding air guide passage.

6. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the air guide passage of the warming plate extends upward and inside out at a certain inclination.

7. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the warming plate is made of an upper member and a lower member, with the upper member related to a flat plate having a central opening and one or more than one air guide pore; one or more than one air guide recess and a heat fender, continuously or intermittently provided being relatively disposed on the lower member; and an air guide passage being formed by the air guide recess when both members being incorporated to each other.

8. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, one ore more than one recess relatively to the air guide passage of the warming plate is provided on the upper wall of the support.

9. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, one ore more than one hole permitting emission of the candlelight is provided at selected location on the peripheral wall of the support.

10. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the base is either integrated with or provided separately from the support.

11. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a layer of refractory material is paved on top of the tray on the base.

12. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the base is related to a hollowed frame, and the height of the foot is greater than the depth of the tray.

13. A cup warmer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, multiple heat fenders are provided on the peripheral wall of the tray on the base.