Reusable Wax Warmer Liner

Abstract

The present invention discloses a liner made to fit and have direct contact within the warming dish of a wax warmer to serve the purpose of receiving, melting, cooling, remolding, removing, storing, re-using and safely discarding scented wax while retaining the integrity of a wax warming mechanism by preventing messy wax buildup or dangerous removal of wax from the wax warmer dish and reusing the liner after wax removal.

The present invention comprises polymeric material, which is preferred, or metallic, silicone or other material which is heat transferable, allowing heat to transfer through the liner and melting the wax within, while not affecting the throw of the wax properties, and maintaining and not distracting from the appearance of the wax warmer in design and scope. The liner also may be used as a warming dish on its own accord, seated directly over a low wattage light bulb of a wax warmer or in direct contact with the warming platform of a wax candle warmer.

Upon discontinuation of the heat source, or removal of the liner from the wax warmer or warming platform, the melted wax, once completely cooled, may be removed from the liner by method of flexibly releasing the cooled wax, now solidly molded into the shape of the liner, from its edges and base. The re-molded wax may then be discarded if wax properties are no longer effective or saved for another use if properties remain and are desired for later use. The emptied liner may then be reused, disposed or recycled, if so desired. If wax is not removed from the liner, the wax may be stored within the liner for later use.

The present invention is contourably shaped to fit a variety of wax warmer designs, as well as for structural stability for multiple uses or branding purposes which will identify the liner and be re-molded into the melted and solidified scented wax. Such contours on the sides and bottom of the liner help prevent the formation of condensation or vacuum forming, which can hinder both the removal and release of the liner from the receiving portion of a wax warmer or warming platform and aid in the removal of the solidly formed wax from within the liner itself.

Claims

1. A reusable liner for containing and removing melted scented wax within the heated dish of a wax warmer, comprising: a single piece, including a bottom piece and attached side wall portions for receiving and containing scented wax.

2. The reusable liner of claim 1 that is made of heat conductive material, such as, but not limited to, polymeric.

3. The reusable liner of claim 1 that is made of releasably flexible material

4. The usable liner of claim 2 that is made of clear polymeric material as to not distract from the wax warmer liner itself

5. The reusable liner of claim 1 that is made of recyclable materials.

6. The reusable liner of claim 1 that acts as a barrier between the wax and the wax warmer dish, resulting in maintaining the integrity of the wax and the wax warmer.

7. The reusable liner of claim 1 that may act as an independent dish or replacement dish for a wax warmer or used as a stand-alone dish with a candle warming platform.

8. The reusable liner that is constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit a variety of wax warmer designs and styles with contourably constructed sides and bottom, comprising a variety of shapes and sizes, including, but not limited to, geometric or designably interesting shapes, including convex and concave.

9. The reusable liner of claim 8 that comprises a ridge structure around the perimeter surrounding a recessed portion of the liner bottom that stands up off of the dish of a wax warmer, allowing even heating and preventing condensation and vacuum formation between the liner and the dish.

10. The reusable liner of claim 8 that comprises tiers in the sides of the liner to provide structural stability during a heating process and prevents shrinking or breaking down of the polymer due to heat over time, or from excessive heat.

11. The reusable liner of claim 8 that includes embedded and formed design for decorative, structural or identifying purposes, such as logos and designs.

12. The reusable liner of claim 8 with angled sides for stackability for storage or retail packaging

13. The reusable liner of claim 8 that comprises an outwardly formed flange around the upper open rim of the liner.

14. A method of reusing the liner, comprising: a) placing a liner within the heated dish of a wax warmer or directly over a heat source of a wax warming mechanism, b) positioning scented wax within the liner and allowing heat to melt the wax over time, c) discontinuing the heat source and allowing the melted wax to cool, re-mold, and solidify, conforming the wax to the shape or design of the liner, d) safely removing the cooled wax in the liner from the dish of the wax warmer by applying manual pressure outwardly on the inside wall of the perimeter of the liner to release the solid wax from the sides, e) applying manual pressure inwardly on the bottom of the liner to release the solid wax from the interior, f) removing the solid wax by popping out, to store, safely discard or reuse wax that has retained its properties by placing it back in the liner for warming at a later time, g) reusing said liner by placing it back into the dish or directly over the heat source of a wax warmer or candle warming platform and place scented wax within.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Description accompanies the various views of the Reusable Wax Warmer Liner illustrations.

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts the bottom side view of the invention

[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a top view looking down into the liner

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the liner

[0020] 100The Reusable Wax Warmer Liner from a bottom side view [0021] 101The tier formed into the side portion of the liner for structural and stability purposes [0022] 102The outwardly formed flange surrounding the perimeter of the open edge of the liner [0023] 103The recessed portion of the bottom of the liner, surrounded by the structural ridge (104) [0024] 104The raised ridge formed on the bottom perimeter of the liner [0025] 105Inner view of the recessed portion of the bottom of the liner [0026] 106Top view of the liner from the open edge, looking down inward [0027] 107Side wall of the liner [0028] 108The opening at the top of the liner [0029] 109Side view of the liner

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The present invention is a reusable liner to contain melted wax within the warming dish of a wax warmer, to re-mold and store cooled scented wax and the method of removing the melted, cooled and solidified wax from within the reusable liner itself. The invention comprises a reusable liner for conducting and transferring heat to melt the wax which is placed within the liner for the purpose of creating an ambient atmosphere of pleasant or therapeutic scent with aromatic properties. The liner is constructed of a material that is heat conductive to allow the contained wax to melt without the liner itself melting and while retaining the integrity of the wax and its properties, as well as maintaining the integrity of the wax warmer and the liner itself. The material may be, but is not limited to, a polymer, preferably flexible, such as polyethylene, or polyethylene blend, recycled polymer, polypropylene or may be of silicone or metallic coated paper material, which is not as preferable, but that may be reusable, yet disposable or recyclable. The polymer may be clear, as to be aesthetically pleasing while not distracting from the appearance of the wax warmer.

[0031] The liner contains contours to add to the stability and longevity of the structure. The liner may be sized and designed to fit the shape of the wax warmer dish in which it sits, such as round, square, rectangle, convex, concave or fluted, with flat or raised bottom portion, but not limited to these structural values. The molded structure consists of a bottom portion and side portions, as one piece. The sides may be perpendicular, or angled outward to accommodate the dish of a wax warmer, and increase stability and durability of the liner itself. The bottom base contains ridges or designs, such as logos, in the recessed area of the underneath portion, which will be embedded in the wax when it solidifies in the liner, and is visible in the solid wax when removed by flexibly releasing the wax, when solid, from the sides and bottom. The contours may be ridges, various steps or tiers in the side walls, fluted edges and sides, a flange or any given variety of designs. Liners that have angled sides, slight or obvious, would be stackable, which would make it easier to present in a multi-pack for retail purposes or space saving storage. A ridge may be formed around the circumference of the bottom portion which holds the liner up off of the flat surface of a heating element or wax warmer reservoir, which still allows the liner to evenly transfer heat and melt the wax inside, while preventing a vacuum or moisture from forming underneath when heating, which could deform or warp the bottom of the liner and cause the liner to stick to the dish of the wax warmer.

[0032] Structural contours include a ridge around the perimeter of the bottom of the base of the liner. This is to allow for even heating and prevent overheating as well as avoid the moisture or vacuum buildup that can occur with condensation when liquid is heated on a flat surface. The bottom ridge will promote the release of the liner from the wax warmer dish by raising it off of the floor of the warming dish rather than laying completely flat against the floor of the warming dish. Logos or shaped designs may be integrated in the recessed interior of the bottom base of the liner, inside the ridged perimeter, which, when the wax is melted then cooled and solidified within, and removed by method of popping out, will reveal the contours as well as the logo, and serve the purpose of continued enjoyment and promotion of seeing the logo and shapes of the newly formed wax. This can then be kept for storage purposes or given as gifts, if so desired. Other contours that help with structural stability are steps or tiers in the sides of the liner, giving strength to the structure that will be crucial to the longevity of the liner when it is heated over a period of time, or multiple times. Particular polymers have a tendency to break down or shrink over time when in contact with consistent heat, and adding structural value enhances the stability of the polymer and lessens the chance the liner will shrink or deform during sporatic use or withstanding consistent heat. An outwardly formed flange surrounds the perimeter of the open top edge and adds to the structural value of the liner, as any creases or contours add strength to the liner structure. The flange also serves to help stabilize the liner within the dish by resting on the upper ledge of the warming dish or by touching the inner wall of the dish, aiding in keeping the liner centered and upright. The flange also is useful for gripping purposes when removing the liner from the warming dish after use.

[0033] The liner is purposed for placement within the wax holding dish of a traditional wax warmer, or may be used as an independent reservoir by being placed directly on or above the heat source in a wax warmer, depending on the design of the warmer itself. Some wax warmer heating elements are not strong enough and are ineffective in heating or melting the scented wax. If the warmer is designed with a removable dish independent of the warmer base, the liner may be placed over the heat source, such as a low wattage light bulb, replacing the dish, or directly onto the wax warming tray, should the warmer be so designed, and therefore itself becomes the wax warmer dish. This also would be beneficial as a reusable and disposable replacement dish, should the original wax warmer dish become lost or broken. The reusable liner also may be placed directly onto the warming platform of a candle warmer, which only consists of an electrically warmed base, purposed to heat a candle through a glass container, rather than burning it.

[0034] A clear, heat transferring, aesthetically pleasing proprietary polymer that maintains both the integrity and appearance of the wax warmer and the wax, is preferable as a material for this invention, although it is not limited to any given clarity, color, polymer or material. Other materials, such as metal, silicone or heavy paper, would be inadequate, although possible, and may even pose possible dangers while changing the appearance of the wax warmer itself. Metal, aluminum or foil covered cardboard will conduct heat quickly and use up properties of wax at a greater rate, lessening the lifetime of the scent or properties of the wax. Metals heat more quickly than other resources, and also retain the heat longer. Thus, removing the metal from the heat source may lead to burns or blisters, and may cause reflexive dropping of the metal container, or the wax warmer itself, leading to additional problems with broken pieces, or splattered molten wax. Silicone is not preferable because its properties are scientifically heat resistant and porous, which would render the item ineffective. Over time, the used wax would permeate the porous structure and would encourage scent mixing and even leaking. Paper, cardboard, or foil covered cardboard is ineffective in that it takes longer to conduct heat from the source, and cools too rapidly and is not intended for use within a heat source, extended use or multiple uses. These paper related materials are absorbent as well, and also would encourage scent mixing and leakage over time. If the heat source is over-heated, it may cause scorching of the paper element, which then could cause safety concerns.

[0035] The present invention is considered a reusable/disposable, being used multiple times as desired, then discarded or recycled and replaced. The liner is purposed to be used in a variety of warmers and with a variety of waxes, and not limited to one particular type or brand of either, making the invention independent and universal in value. The average range of area within the dish portion of a wax warmer is up to 3.5. The liner may be used for storage for used wax with still usable properties, or emptied and reused in the method and fashion set forth in the following paragraph.

[0036] The beauty of this invention, the reusable wax warmer liner, is the ability to empty the used wax from the liner, while maintaining the usefulness of the liner, the used wax and the wax warmer. The liner, acting as a barrier between the melting wax and the dish of a wax warmer, helps maintain the integrity and cleanliness of a wax warmer dish, which encourages use and eliminates the aforementioned problems that come with cleaning wax from a wax warmer. The wax is flexibly removed from the liner by eliminating the heat source, turning off the electric power supply, allowing the wax to cool and solidify. Once solid, pressure is manually applied inside the liner around the perimeter in an outward manner and manual pressure is applied to the bottom of the liner in an inward manner, and when it is inverted, this pressure forces or pops the wax out in a single piece or several pieces, rather than spilling a hot liquid mess or producing and spreading flaky wax fragments that are difficult to remove. The liner is now clean and free to use again. The wax is also ready to be stored or reused, if it has maintained its properties, or discarded safely. Once the liner has been reused and is no longer needed or effective, it may be discarded, or recycled if possible.