CANDLE LAMP

Abstract

A candle lamp suitably adapted to burn liquid fuel to support a light-emitting flame, with the candle lamp having an exterior shell that has the appearance of a traditional wax or tallow candle, and a fragrance matrix which provides a fragrance when exposed to the heat of a flame when the candle lamp is in use.

Claims

1. A fluid burning candle lamp comprising an exterior shell, said exterior shell having a side wall and an interior enclosed compartment within which a liquid fuel may be contained; an upper wall, said upper wall being adjacent to and in connection with an upper portion of the side wall of the exterior shell; a lower wall, said lower wall being substantially planar and adjacent to and in connection with a lower portion of the side wall of the exterior shell, with the side wall of the exterior shell, the upper wall of the exterior shell, and the lower wall of the exterior shell defining the interior compartment of the exterior shell; a wick, said wick having an upper end and a lower end, with the lower end suitable for being placed into said liquid fuel, said wick capable of drawing said liquid fuel up from its lower end to its upper end, with said upper end suitable for maintaining a flame; and a wick aperture, said wick aperture formed into and through the upper wall and configured to accommodate the wick, such that the wick passes into and through said wick aperture and is held in place therein, with the upper end of the wick located above the upper wall and the lower end of the wick located below the upper wall within the interior compartment of the exterior shell.

2. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell has a substantially cylindrical shape, with a curved circumferential side wall.

3. The candle lamp of claim 2 wherein the lower wall of the exterior shell is substantially circular and the upper wall is substantially circular.

4. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell has three or more substantially planar surfaces, whereby the side wall has a polygonal cross-section.

5. The candle lamp of claim 4 wherein the lower wall of the exterior shell is substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the side wall of the exterior shell and the upper wall is substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the side wall of the exterior shell.

6. The candle lamp of claim 5 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell has three substantially planar surfaces, whereby the side wall has a triangular cross-section.

7. The candle lamp of claim 5 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell has four substantially planar surfaces, whereby the side wall has a rectangular cross-section.

8. The candle lamp of claim 5 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell has six substantially planar surfaces, whereby the side wall has a hexagonal cross-section.

9. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell has an irregular curved shape, with the upper wall having an irregular circumference and the lower wall having an irregular circumference.

10. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is constructed of a nylon material.

11. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is constructed of a material from the group of plastic polymer, metal, metal alloy, and glass.

12. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is constructed of a heat resistant material.

13. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is substantially translucent.

14. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is configured and colored to appear to be a beeswax candle.

15. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is decorated with a plurality of different colors.

16. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the exterior shell is decorated with graphics.

17. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell extends upward above the upper wall, forming a crown, wherein the upper end of the wick is positioned at or below a top edge of the crown when the wick is placed into the wick aperture.

18. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the upper wall is concave, such that the wick aperture formed into the upper wall is located below a perimeter of the upper wall.

19. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the upper wall is removably attached to the upper portion of the side wall of the exterior shell.

20. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the lower wall is removably attached to the lower portion of the side wall of the exterior shell.

21. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the wick is constructed of fiberglass.

22. The candle lamp of claim 1 further comprising a fragrance matrix, said fragrance matrix suitably configured to retain one or more vaporizable fragrance additives.

23. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix releases fragrance when exposed to heat generated by a flame.

24. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix is a flexible material impregnated with fragrant oils.

25. The candle lamp of claim 24 wherein the fragrance matrix is constructed of a porous plastic material.

26. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix is fragrance oil encapsulated in a gas permeable membrane which, when heated, gives off a fragrance.

27. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix is constructed of a heat resistant ceramic material.

28. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix is placed on a top surface of the upper wall.

29. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the upper wall further comprises a recessed annular channel surrounding the wick aperture, with the fragrance matrix being a flowable substance, whereby the fragrance matrix is flowed into the channel.

30. The candle lamp of claim 29 wherein the flowable substance is a wax.

31. The candle lamp of claim 30 wherein the wax is flowed into a channel liner suitably adapted to fit into the recessed annular channel.

32. The candle lamp of claim 31 wherein the channel liner is sealed with a thin gas permeable membrane suitably adapted to permit the escape of fragrant gaseous vapors but which retains the wax within the channel liner.

33. The candle lamp of claim 29 wherein the flowable substance is a solution of fragrance oil and a diluent, whereby the solution is flowed into a channel liner suitably adapted to fit into the recessed annular channel.

34. The candle lamp of claim 33 wherein the channel liner is sealed with a thin gas permeable membrane suitably adapted to permit the escape of fragrant gaseous vapors but which retains the solution within the channel liner.

35. The candle lamp of claim 22 wherein the fragrance matrix is attached to an underside of the upper wall.

36. The candle lamp of claim 35 wherein the upper wall further comprises one of more apertures formed into and through the upper wall.

37. The candle lamp of claim 22 further comprising a fuel container and a fragrance chamber, wherein said fuel container is located within the interior compartment of the exterior shell below the upper wall and being suitable for containing the liquid fuel, whereby the lower end of the wick is placed into said fuel container, said fragrance chamber is located within the interior compartment of the exterior shell outside of the fuel container, with the fragrance chamber having an interior and a plurality of ventilation apertures, said fragrance chamber being suitable for containing the fragrance matrix within said interior, the lower wall of the exterior shell further comprises one or more apertures formed into and through the lower wall, and the upper wall further comprises one of more apertures formed into and through the upper wall, whereby air rising through the interior compartment of the exterior shell passes through the ventilation apertures of the fragrance chamber and carries fragrance out of the interior compartment of the exterior shell.

38. The candle lamp of claim 1 wherein the side wall of the exterior shell extends downward below the lower wall, forming a foot, said foot having a bottom edge.

39. The candle lamp of claim 38 further comprising a bottom panel, said bottom panel being adjacent to and in connection with the foot of the exterior shell proximate to the bottom edge of the foot of the exterior shell.

40. The candle lamp of claim 39 further comprising an adapter, said adapter having a lower portion suitably configured to be inserted into a candle stick holder, said adapter having a connection member located opposite its lower portion suitably configured to engage with an aperture of the bottom panel, being removably attached thereto, whereby through use of the adapter the candle lamp may be mounted onto a candle stick holder.

41. The candle lamp of claim 40 wherein the aperture of the bottom panel is threaded and the connection member of the adapter is threaded, whereby the threaded connection member of the adapter is capable of being threaded into the threaded aperture of the bottom panel.

42. The candle lamp of claim 40 wherein the lower portion of the adapter is made of a flexible material.

43. The candle lamp of claim 1 further comprising a wick sleeve, said wick sleeve having an upper portion and a lower portion, whereby the upper portion and the lower portion are discontinuous from each other, with the upper portion of the wick sleeve having a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior, an opened first end, and being constructed of fire resistant material, said upper portion of said wick sleeve configured to snugly accommodate the wick within its hollow interior, with the upper end of the wick proximate to and extending above the first end of said upper portion of said wick sleeve, and with the lower portion of the wick sleeve having a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior, and an opened second end, said lower portion of said wick sleeve configured to snugly accommodate the wick within its hollow interior, with the lower end of the wick proximate to and extending below the second end of said lower portion of said wick sleeve, wherein the wick aperture is configured to accommodate the upper portion of the wick sleeve, such that the upper portion of the wick sleeve passes into the wick aperture and is held in place therein, with the first end of the upper portion of the wick sleeve located above the upper wall and the second end of the lower portion of the wick sleeve located below the upper wall within the interior compartment of the exterior shell.

44. The candle lamp of claim 43 wherein the upper portion of the wick sleeve is constructed of glass.

45. The candle lamp of claim 44 wherein the first end of the wick sleeve has a rough surface.

46. The candle lamp of claim 1 further comprising a wick sleeve, said wick sleeve having a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior, an opened first end, and an opened second end, said wick sleeve configured to snugly accommodate the wick within its hollow interior, with the upper end of the wick proximate to and extending above the first end of said wick sleeve and the lower end of the wick proximate to and extending below the second end of said wick sleeve, wherein the wick aperture is configured to accommodate the wick sleeve, such that the wick sleeve passes into and through the wick aperture and is held in place therein, with the first end of the wick sleeve located above the upper wall and the second end of the wick sleeve located below the upper wall within the interior compartment of the exterior shell.

47. The candle lamp of claim 46 wherein the wick sleeve is constructed of glass.

48. The candle lamp of claim 47 wherein the first end of the wick sleeve has a rough surface.

49. The candle lamp of claim 46 wherein the wick sleeve is held within the wick aperture by frictional forces.

50. The candle lamp of claim 46 wherein the wick sleeve has an external protuberance, said protuberance located between the first end of the wick sleeve and the second end of the wick sleeve, said protuberance having a diameter greater than an internal diameter of the wick aperture, such that the second end of the wick sleeve passes into and through the wick aperture while the protuberance of the wick sleeve does not pass through the wick aperture but instead rests against a top surface of the upper wall.

51. The candle lamp of claim 50 wherein the protuberance of the wick sleeve is an annular ring.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of the exterior shell of the candle lamp of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the candle lamp shown in FIG. 1, with various components of the exterior shell identified and the upper wall shown in ghost line.

[0018] FIG. 3A is a plan side view of a wick contained within a two-part embodiment of a wick sleeve.

[0019] FIG. 3B is a plan side view of a wick contained within a one-part embodiment of a wick sleeve.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the candle lamp shown in FIG. 2, with the wick and wick sleeve of FIG. 3A included along with liquid fuel.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of one embodiment the candle lamp of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of another embodiment the candle lamp of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7A is a plan top view of one embodiment of the upper wall.

[0024] FIG. 7B is a plan side view of the embodiment of the upper wall shown in FIG. 7A.

[0025] FIG. 7C is a plan side view of an embodiment of the upper wall shown in FIG. 7A having perimeter threads for removable attachment to the exterior shell.

[0026] FIG. 7D is a plan top view of another embodiment of the upper wall.

[0027] FIG. 7E is a plan top view of yet another embodiment of the upper wall.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a plan side view showing an embodiment of the candle lamp configured for use with a fragrance container. For clarity, internal features are shown as though the exterior shell were transparent.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a plan side view showing an embodiment of the candle lamp configured for use with a candle stick holder. For clarity, internal features are shown as though the exterior shell

[0030] FIG. 10A is a perspective bottom view of the candle lamp shown in FIG. 9, showing a threaded configuration of the adapter and the bottom panel of the exterior shell.

[0031] FIG. 10B is a perspective bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the adapter, having flexible flanges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] One aspect of the invention is drawn to a fluid burning candle lamp 1. See FIG. 5. The candle lamp 1 comprises, at a minimum, an exterior shell 100, an upper wall 200, a lower wall 120, an interior compartment 130, a wick 300, and a wick aperture 220. The upper wall 200 fits into an upper portion 114 of the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100, and has formed in its center the wick aperture 220. See FIG. 2. The wick 300 is inserted into and through the wick aperture 220, leaving a portion of the wick 300 above the upper wall 200 and a portion of the wick 300 below the upper wall 200 and in contact with liquid fuel 10. See FIGS. 3A and 3B. There may be a fragrance matrix 500 located proximate to the wick 300 such that it may be exposed to the heat of a flame 20 borne at the upper end 310 of the wick 300, thereby giving off a fragrance 30. See FIG. 4.

[0033] The exterior shell 100 has a side wall 110, an upper wall 200, a substantially flat lower wall 120, and an interior enclosed compartment 130. See FIG. 2. The lower wall 120 is located adjacent to and in connection with a lower portion 112 of the side wall 110. The upper wall 200 is located above the lower wall 120, adjacent to and in connection with an upper portion 114 of the side wall 110. The side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100, the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100, and the upper wall 200 define the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100. Liquid fuel 10 may be contained within the interior compartment 130.

[0034] The exterior shell 100 of the candle lamp 1 may have any suitable shape. In the preferred embodiment the exterior shell 100 has a substantially cylindrical shape, with a curved circumferential side wall 110. See FIG. 1. In such configurations, the upper and lower walls 200,120 of the exterior shell 100 are substantially circular. Other configurations of the exterior shell 100 are also contemplated. For example, the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 may be comprised of three or more substantially planar surfaces 116, resulting in the side wall 110 having a polygonal cross-section. In such embodiments, the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100 will have substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100, as will the upper wall 200. Where the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 has three substantially planar surfaces 116, the side wall 110 will have a triangular cross-section and the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100 and the upper wall 200 will likewise be triangular. Where the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 has four substantially planar surfaces 116, the side wall 110 will have a rectangular (or square) cross-section and the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100 and the upper wall 200 will likewise be rectangular (or square). Where the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 has six substantially planar surfaces 116, the side wall 110 will have a hexagonal cross-section and the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100 and the upper wall 200 will likewise be hexagonal. See FIG. 6. In yet other embodiments, the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 may be comprised of a combination of curved and planar surfaces 116. For example, the front and back sides may be planar, with curved left and right sides. The exterior shell 100 may have a curved circumferential side wall 110 and a substantially oval or elliptical cross section. The upper portion 114 of the side wall 110 may have a shape or dimension different from the lower portion 112 of the side wall 110, for example, to provide a tapered effect, whereby the upper and lower walls 200,120 have the same shape but are differently sized. The exterior shell 100 may be substantially spherical. The exterior shell 100 may have a highly stylized, irregular shape. These and other shapes for the exterior shell 100 are all contemplated by the invention.

[0035] The exterior shell 100 of the candle lamp 1 may be constructed of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment it is constructed of a nylon material. It may also be constructed of different polymers, metal, metal alloys, glass, or other materials. The material used should be heat resistant such that it will not become damaged by the heat given off by a flame 20. In the preferred embodiment the exterior shell 100 is substantially translucent. It may also be configured and colored to appear to be a beeswax candle. Alternatively, the outer surface of the exterior shell can be cast in different colors of nylon, it can be dyed different colors, and it can be decorated with graphics using ink jet printing and/or silk screen techniques. Other aesthetic effects are also contemplated.

[0036] In some embodiments, the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 extends upward above the upper wall 200, forming a crown 140. See FIG. 4. The crown 140 should be of sufficient height such that when the wick 300 is placed into the wick aperture 220 the upper end 310 of the wick 300 is positioned at or slightly above a top edge 142 of the crown 140 (it is important to keep the flame 20 at some distance from the exterior shell 100 to prevent discoloration or scorching).

[0037] In other embodiments, the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 extends downward below the lower wall 120, forming a foot 150. See FIG. 4. The foot 150 has a bottom edge 152. In such embodiments, there may be a bottom panel 160 located adjacent to and in connection with the foot 150 of the exterior shell 100 proximate to the bottom edge 152 of the foot 150.

[0038] In yet other embodiments having a foot 150 and a bottom panel 160, the bottom panel 160 may have a central aperture 164. The aperture 164 is designed to accommodate an adapter 600. See FIG. 9. The adapter 600 has a connection member 610 which is suitably configured to engage with the aperture 164 of the bottom panel 160, so that the adapter 600 can be removably attached to the candle lamp 1. See FIG. 10A. The adapter 600 also has a lower portion 620 located opposite its connection member 610, suitably configured to be inserted into a receiving socket 52 of a standard candle stick holder 50. Thus, using the adapter 600, the candle lamp 1 may be mounted onto a candle stick holder 50. See FIG. 9. The connection member 610 of the adapter 600 may be threaded; if so, the aperture 164 in the bottom panel 160 is also threaded, and the threaded connection member 610 of the adapter 600 is capable of being threaded into the threaded aperture 164 of the bottom panel 160. See FIG. 10A. Alternatively, the connection member 610 of the adapter 600 may be friction fit into the aperture 164 of the bottom panel 160. In order to facilitate fitting the adapter 600 into a candle stick holder 50, the lower portion 620 of the adapter 600 should be made of a flexible material, such as rubber, or fashioned in such a way as to allow a more rigid material, such as nylon, to flex and fit into various candle holder sizes and shapes. See FIG. 10B.

[0039] The upper wall 200 may have any suitable configuration. In the preferred embodiment, it is slightly concave, with its central portion lower than its perimeter 230. See FIG. 7B. In other embodiments it may be substantially planar. The wick aperture 220 is formed into the central portion of the upper wall 200. The wick aperture 220 is formed into and through the upper wall 200 and is configured to accommodate a wick sleeve 400. The wick sleeve 400 contains the wick 300 and passes into and through the wick aperture 220 and is held in place therein. The upper wall 200 may have formed into and through it a small pinhole vent 280 to equalize pressure in the interior compartment as it empties of fuel. See FIG. 7E. The upper wall 200 may be constructed of any suitable material. In one embodiment it may be constructed of the same material as the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100. In another embodiment it may be constructed of flame resistant glass, such as Pyrex. In yet another embodiment it may be constructed of a metal or ceramic material.

[0040] The upper wall 200 may be fixedly attached to the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100. In the most preferred embodiments, the upper wall 200 is removably attached to the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100. This may be accomplished by friction fitting the upper wall 200 onto the side wall 110. Alternatively, there may be internal threads formed in the side wall 110 and threads 235 formed into the perimeter 230 of the upper wall 200, thus allowing the upper wall 200 to be threaded into the exterior shell 100. See FIG. 7C. There may also be a circumferential groove formed into the interior surface of the side wall 110, with the upper wall 200 configured to snap into and out of the groove. Other means for removably attaching the upper wall 200 to the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 are also contemplated.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment the lower wall 120 is removably attached to the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 to provide access to interior compartment 130 from the underside of the candle lamp 1. This may be accomplished by friction fitting the lower wall 120 onto the side wall 110. Alternatively, there may be internal threads formed in the side wall 110 and threads formed into the perimeter of the lower wall 120, thus allowing the lower wall 120 to be threaded into the exterior shell 100. There may also be a circumferential groove formed into the interior surface of the side wall 110, with the lower wall 120 configured to snap into and out of the groove. Other means for removably attaching the lower wall 120 to the side wall 110 of the exterior shell 100 are also contemplated.

[0042] The wick 300 may be of any suitable length. It has an upper end 310 and a lower end 320, with the lower end 320 suitable for being placed into liquid fuel 10, such that the wick 300 is capable of drawing liquid fuel 10 up from its lower end 320 to its upper end 310. The upper end 310 of the wick 300 is suitable for maintaining a flame 20. The wick 300 may be constructed of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment the wick 300 is constructed of fiberglass.

[0043] The wick sleeve 400 is configured to accommodate the wick 300. It should have a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow interior, an opened first end 410, and an opened second end 420. See FIGS. 3A and 3B. The wick sleeve 400 should be configured to snugly accommodate the wick 300 within its hollow interior, with the upper end 310 of the wick 300 proximate to and extending above the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400 and the lower end 320 of the wick 300 proximate to and extending below the second end 420 of the wick sleeve 400. In some embodiments the lower end 320 of the wick 300 may not extend below the second end 420 of the wick sleeve 400. The wick sleeve 400 may be constructed of any suitable material. In the preferred embodiment it is constructed of flame resistant glass, such as Pyrex. In the most preferred embodiment, the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400 is diamond cut but left unsmoothed and unpolished to create a rough, but not sharp, surface. This provides for a greater surface area for the liquid fuel 10 from the wick 300 to spread onto, thereby aiding ignition and sustenance of the flame 20. As such, the wick height may be set to less than 1/16 of an inch above the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400. If the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400 is smooth, not enough liquid fuel 10 can be sustained thereon and the wick 300 must be raised to at least approximately 3/16 of an inch above the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400 in order for there to be enough liquid fuel 10 present (between that found on the wick 300 and that found on the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400) to sustain a flame 20. However, the longer the exposed portion of the wick 300, the easier it is for a user to attempt to lower the height of the wick 300 by trimming it. This can lead to a suboptimal height of the flame 20, causing excessive use of fuel and inefficient burning, or damage to the wick which impairs candle operation. A shorter portion of exposed wick 300, which is made possible by the first end 410 of the wick sleeve 400 being diamond cut to a rough surface, makes it difficult for a user to attempt to trim the height of the wick 300, thereby preserving optimal height of the flame 20.

[0044] The wick sleeve 400 is configured to be placed into and through the wick aperture 220 of the upper wall 200. See FIG. 4. The wick sleeve 400 is held in place within the upper wall 200 by any suitable means. In one embodiment the wick sleeve 400 is held within the wick aperture 220 by frictional forces. These may be enhanced by the use of a gasket. In another embodiment the wick sleeve 400 has an external protuberance 440 located between the first and second ends 410,420 of the wick sleeve 400. See FIG. 3B. The protuberance 440 has an outside diameter greater than the internal diameter of the wick aperture 220. This allows the second end 420 of the wick sleeve 400 to pass into and through the wick aperture 220, but the protuberance 440 does not pass through the wick aperture 220 but instead rests against the top surface 240 of the upper wall 200. The protuberance 440 may be an annular ring. It may be a single projection, or a plurality of projections arrayed about the wick sleeve 400. It may be a gasket that is slipped onto the wick sleeve 400. Other configurations of the protuberance 440 are also contemplated.

[0045] In the most preferred embodiment the wick sleeve 400 is configured to have two discontinuous portions, an upper portion 460 and a lower portion 470. See FIG. 3A. The upper portion 460 of the wick sleeve 400 contains its first end 410 and the lower portion 470 of the wick sleeve 400 contains its second end 420. The upper portion 460 of the wick sleeve 400 is inserted into the wick aperture 220 of the upper wall 200 and fixedly attached thereto. It should be constructed of flame resistant glass, such as Pyrex, or from another flame proof material such as metal or ceramic. The wick 300 is held within the upper portion 460 of the wick sleeve 400 by frictional forces. The lower portion 470 of the wick sleeve 400 is friction fitted to the portion of the wick 300 that suspends below the upper wall 200. The lower portion 470 of the wick sleeve 400 may be constructed of any material of substantially cylindrical shape that serves to weight down the wick 300, thereby keeping it from floating in the liquid fuel 10. The lower portion 470 of the wick sleeve 400 may be constructed of braided cotton, semi rigid plastic material, glass, metal, or the like. It need not be flame resistant.

[0046] The fragrance matrix 500 is any suitable substance configured to retain one or more vaporizable fragrance additives. When exposed to heat generated by a flame 20, the fragrance matrix 500 releases fragrance 30. In one embodiment the fragrance matrix 500 is a flexible material impregnated with fragrant oils. This may take the form of a porous plastic material. In another embodiment the fragrance matrix 500 may be contained in a heat resistant ceramic shell that can be molded into decorative forms. The fragrance matrix 500 may be placed onto the top surface 240 of the upper wall 200, close to the wick 300. In yet another embodiment, the fragrance matrix 500 may be a flowable substance, such as wax. Alternatively, the flowable substance may be a solution of fragrance oil and a diluent, such as alcohol or glycerin. In this embodiment, the upper wall 200 has an annular recessed channel 270 formed around the wick aperture 220, and the fragrance matrix 500 is flowed into the channel 270. See FIG. 7D. A removable liner may be used with the annular channel 270 to facilitate cleanup. The liner may be plastic, or it may be cast with metal filaments that conduct more heat from the upper wall 200 to its outer perimeter 230. The liner may be open on the top, or it may be sealed with a thin membrane that permit fragrant gaseous vapors to escape but holds the flowable substance in. In yet another embodiment the fragrance matrix 500 is attached to the underside 250 of the upper wall 200. In such an embodiment the upper wall 200 may comprise one or more additional apertures 260 formed into and through the upper wall 200 to allow fragrance 30 to rise out of the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100 of the candle lamp 1.

[0047] In yet another embodiment, the candle lamp comprises a separate fuel container 170 suitable for containing liquid fuel 10. See FIG. 8. The fuel container 170 is placed within the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100 below the upper wall 200. It has a top aperture 172 which aligns with the wick aperture 220 of the upper wall 200, such that the lower end 320 of the wick 300 may be inserted into the fuel container 170 through its top aperture 172. In such an embodiment, the fuel container 170 may substantially fill the entire volume of the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100.

[0048] Alternatively, the fuel container 170 does not fill the entire volume of the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100. In such an embodiment, a fragrance chamber 510 may be placed into the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100 outside of the fuel container 170. The fragrance chamber 510 has an interior and a plurality of ventilation apertures, and is suitable for containing the fragrance matrix 500 within its interior. The fragrance matrix 500 may be felt blotting paper or any other suitable material impregnated with fragrant oils. To facilitate the escape of fragrance 30, the lower wall 120 of the exterior shell 100 may comprise one or more apertures 122 formed into and through it, and the upper wall 200 may comprise one of more apertures 260 formed into and through it. See FIG. 7A. Air 60 may then enter the apertures 122 formed into the lower wall 120, rise through the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100, and pass through the ventilation apertures of the fragrance chamber 510; fragrance 30 is then carried out of the interior compartment 130 of the exterior shell 100 by air 60 rising through the apertures 260 formed in the upper wall 200. This embodiment may also comprise an exterior shell 100 having a foot 150, as described above, thus forming a void under the lower wall 120 to more easily facilitate the movement of air 60. If a bottom panel 160 is used, there should be one or more apertures 162 formed into the bottom panel 160 to permit entry of air 60 into the void. If no bottom panel 160 is used, there should be one or more apertures formed into foot 150, or alternatively the bottom edge 152 of the foot 150 may be irregular to allow for air 60 to pass under the bottom edge 152 when the candle lamp 1 is placed on a flat surface.

[0049] The invention is not limited to what is described in the foregoing embodiments. For example, although a candle lamp 1 which has the appearance of a traditional wax or tallow candle is described in detail, the principles described herein may be used in the construction and manufacture of a candle lamp 1 having any type of appearance, including a transparent exterior shell 100 to provide a visual access to all of the interior components.

[0050] Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are also within the scope of the following claims, whereby modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.