Wax Burner and Method

Abstract

A wax burner is disclosed having a wick and a wick sheath. The wick sheath has one or more perimeter walls defining a chamber with an open upper end. The one or more perimeter walls comprise a top. The wick is in the chamber. The wick extends above the top. The wick may contact the one or more perimeter walls and divides the chamber into a plurality of chambers. The wick may intersect with the one or more perimeter walls at the top at twenty-five percent or less of a perimeter of the chamber.

Claims

1. A wax burner, comprising: a wick sheath comprising one or more perimeter walls defining a chamber with an open upper end; and, a wick in the wick sheath, the wick extends above the wick sheath, the wick contacts the one or more perimeter walls and divides the chamber into a plurality of chambers, the wick comprises a plurality of horns extending above the wick sheath, the plurality of horns are spaced apart by an at least one valley, the at least one valley is below a top of the wick sheath.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. The burner of claim 1, wherein the wick comprises a planar first segment and a planar second segment; the plurality of horns comprises a four horns, the first segment is transverse to the second segment, each segment comprises a two horns of the four horns and each of the two horns is separated by the at least one valley.

17. The burner of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the one or more perimeter walls is black.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A wax burner, comprising: a wick sheath comprising one or more perimeter walls defining a chamber with an open upper end, the one or more perimeter walls comprise a top; and, a wick in the chamber, the wick extends above the top, the wick intersects and extends vertically above the intersection with the one or more perimeter walls at the top at twenty-five percent or less of a perimeter of the chamber.

22. (canceled)

23. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick intersects with the one or more perimeter walls at the top at more than zero percent and not more than twenty-five percent of the perimeter of the chamber.

24. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick intersects with the one or more perimeter walls at the top in a plurality of spaced apart locations.

25. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick divides the chamber into a plurality of chambers.

26. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick is arranged substantially vertically.

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick comprises a plurality of horns extending above the wick sheath.

31. The burner of claim 30, wherein the plurality of horns are spaced apart by at least one valley, the at least one valley is below the top.

32. The burner of claim 30, wherein the horns are at opposite ends of the wick.

33. The burner of claim 30, wherein the plurality of horns comprise four horns.

34. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick intersects with the one or more perimeter walls to divide the chamber in to a plurality of chambers.

35. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick comprises a domed top extending above the wick sheath.

36. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick comprises a plurality of planar segments arranged as a triangle.

37. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick comprises three planar segments arranged in a fan-shape.

38. The burner of claim 21, wherein the wick comprises a planar first segment and a planar second segment, a four horns, and a valley, the first segment is transverse to the second segment, each segment comprises a two horns of the four horns and each of the two horns is separated by the valley.

39. The burner of claim 21, wherein an interior surface of the one or more perimeter walls is black.

40. The burner of claim 21, wherein the sheath comprises a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a circular cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a quadrilateral, or a heart.

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

44. A method of preventing excessive carbon build up on a wax burner, comprising: burning a flame on a wick within a chamber formed by a wick sheath, where the wick extends above a top of the wick sheath and the wick intersects with a one or more perimeter walls that form the chamber at the top of the wick sheath at twenty-five percent or less of a perimeter of the chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wax burner of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a bowl of the burner of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 2B is a side section view of the bowl of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 2C is a side section view of the bowl of FIG. 2A, shown with a melting plate of FIG. 3A.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an optional melting plate usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3B is a side section view of the melting plate of FIG. 3A.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wick assembly of the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wick of the wick assembly of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of the wick of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a front view of the wick of FIG. 7 in a flat configuration.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective section view of the wick assembly of FIG. 10.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 10.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 10.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 14.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 14.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 17.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 17.

[0032] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 21 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 20.

[0034] FIG. 22 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 20.

[0035] FIG. 23 is another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 24 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 23.

[0037] FIG. 25 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 23.

[0038] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 27 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 26.

[0040] FIG. 28 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 26.

[0041] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 30 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 29.

[0043] FIG. 31 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 29.

[0044] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 33 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 32.

[0046] FIG. 34 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 32.

[0047] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 36 is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 35.

[0049] FIG. 37 is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 35.

[0050] FIG. 38A is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 38B is a front view of the wick assembly of FIG. 38A.

[0052] FIG. 38C is a top view of the wick assembly of FIG. 38A.

[0053] FIG. 39A is a perspective view of another embodiment wick assembly usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0054] FIG. 39B is a side perspective view of a portion of the wick assembly of FIG. 39A.

[0055] FIG. 40 is a side section view of a portion of the wick assembly of the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0056] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a portion of the wax burner of FIG. 1 shown with a wax fuel.

[0057] FIG. 42 is a side section view of the wax burner of FIG. 1 shown with a wax fuel.

[0058] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a wax fuel usable with the wax burner of FIG. 1.

[0059] FIG. 44 is a front view of the wax fuel of FIG. 43.

[0060] FIG. 45 is a bottom view of the wax fuel of FIG. 43.

[0061] FIG. 46 is a top view of the wax fuel of FIG. 43.

[0062] FIG. 47 is a back view of the wax fuel of FIG. 43.

[0063] FIG. 48 is a front view of the wax fuel of FIG. 43.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For the purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a plural understanding of the invention. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this description describes and the drawings show specific embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wax burner 10. The burner 10 comprises a wick assembly 12 and a melting plate 16. The melting plate may be a part of a container or bowl 14. The wick assembly 12 comprises a wick 18 and a wick sheath 20. The wick sheath 20 surrounds the wick 18.

[0066] The bowl 14 comprises the melting plate 16. The bowl may comprise a perimeter wall 15 surrounding the melting plate 16. The upper end of the perimeter wall 15 may comprise a lip 17. Within the melting plate 16, such as at the center, a wick assembly housing recess 21 may be provided for housing the wick assembly 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B. The recess 21 is formed by a housing floor 23 and a perimeter housing wall 25 that surrounds the floor 23. The floor 23 is lower than the melting plate 16. The wick assembly 12 is supported on the floor 23 within the recess 21.

[0067] In some embodiments, the wick assembly 12 may be supported at the same level as the melting plate 16 rather than in a recess 21, either on the melting plate or supported by another component. The wick assembly 12 may be placed on the melting grate in any particular location when no recess 21 is provided. The melting plate provides a support surface for the meltable solid fuel 275, 280, such as wax fuel, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42.

[0068] The transition 41 between the melting plate 16 and the wall 15 may be curved. The transition between the floor 23, the wall 25 and the melting plate 16 may each be curved as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The melting plate may be integrally formed with the wall 15 and the wick assembly housing recess 21.

[0069] In some embodiments, the burner 10 comprises an alternative or second melting plate 26. The second melting plate 26 may be used in addition to melting plate 16 or as a substitute for melting plate 16. The second melting plate 26 may be used as a substitute, if for example the floor at 16 of the bowl is not heat conductive. The melting plate 26 has a main melting surface 29. The melting surface 29 may be surrounded by a rim 31. Within the melting plate 26, such as at the center, a wick assembly housing recess 33 for housing the wick assembly 12 may be provided in the same manner as shown with housing recess 21 shown in FIG. 1. The housing recess 33 is formed by a housing floor 35 and a perimeter housing wall 37 that surrounds the floor 35. The floor 35 is lower than the main melting surface 29. The transition between the main melting surface 29, the wall 37, and the floor 35 may each be curved as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0070] In some embodiments the melting plate 26 comprises a plurality of through-going apertures 27. The floor 35 may comprise through-going apertures 27 as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0071] The melting plate 26 can be optionally deployed in the bowl 14 as shown in FIG. 2C. Melting plate 26 may rest on melting plate 16. The housing recess 33 will nest in housing recess 21 as shown in FIG. 2C when the melting plate 26 is deployed in the bowl 14. The wick assembly 12 is then placed into the housing recess 33. When the melting plate 26 rests on and is in surface-contact with the melting plate 16, the plates 16, 26 do not create a watertight or oil-tight seal between. Therefore, when the plates 16, 26 are in surface to surface contact, there is still a very small gap between them in at least some locations to allow liquid or melted wax fuel to flow between the plates 16, 26. Therefore, liquid or melted wax fuel can travel through the apertures 27 and between melting plate 26 and 16, including between solid portions of the plate 16, 26, and toward the recess 33, 21 and the wick assembly 12. Therefore, there is one or more melted wax fuel flow paths between the plates 16, 26 to recess 21 and wick assembly 12.

[0072] Alternatively, the melting plate 26 may be suspended or supported above plate 16 so that there is a more pronounced gap between the plate 26 and plate 16. The bowl 14 can be arranged or shaped to direct melted wax toward the wick assembly 12, such as by having the melting plate 16 downward sloped toward the recess 21.

[0073] As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 9, the wick 18 comprises a plurality of planar sections including a planar first section 28 and a planar second section 30. Therefore, the wick may be considered a planar wick. Each section 28, 30 comprises a plurality of horns or peaks including a first horn 32, 34 and a second horn 36, 38. The horns are arranged to extend above a top surface 40 of the wick sheath 20. A top of the valley 71 at a middle portion 42, 44 of each section 28, 30 is below a top surface 40 of the wick sheath when inserted in the wick sheath to create the wick assembly, which can act as a burner assembly whereon the flame 39 burns when lit and fueled.

[0074] The first section 28 comprises an upper slot 46 at the middle portion 42. The slot 46 comprises an open top end as shown in FIG. 9. The second section 30 comprises a lower slot 48 at the middle portion 42. The slot 48 comprises an open bottom end as shown in FIG. 9.

[0075] The wick 18 is arranged in a cross or X configuration, with the planar sections 28, 30 intersecting and crossing each other. The sections 28, 30 may be perpendicular or transverse to each other. To arrange the wick from the planar configuration of FIG. 9 to the cross configuration of FIGS. 4-8, the wick is wrapped around itself and crossed and nested into itself at the center of the two terminal flat sections 28, 30 that would together form a crossing shape of two diameters within the circular opening of the wick sheath-dividing the circle into four equal or substantially equal sections 68, 70, 72, 74. In particular, the slots 46, 48 are aligned with each other. A lower middle portion 50 of the portion 28 is received in slot 48 and an upper middle portion 52 is received in slot 46 as labeled in FIGS. 7 and 9. The bottom 54, 56 of each of the slots 46, 48 face each other and may be adjacent or in surface to surface contact with each other. The middle of each crossing section 28, 30, and therefore the valley 71, sits below the top surface of the wick sheath when inserted in the wick sheath to create the wick assembly.

[0076] The wick 18 may optionally comprise a joining section 58, which joins section 28 and 30. The joining section, when used, will be below the top 40 of the wick sheath 20. In some embodiments, the bottom of the joining section 58 is co-planar with the bottom of one or both of the sections 28, 30. The joining section 58 may be between 40 and 60 percent of the height of the wick sheath or the height of the sections 28, 30 from a bottom 60, 62 to a top of the horns. The joining section 58 is curved as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 when the wick 18 is in the cross configuration. The joining section 58 may follow a portion of a circle when the wick 18 is in the cross configuration. The joining section 58 may be rectangular when flat.

[0077] When the joining section 58 is used, the wick 18 is a single part or unitary piece. Further, the assembly of the wick assembly 12 is easier, more reliable/repeatable, and less prone to shifting (up/down) during manufacture, shipping, and use. In other words, the joining section helps ensure the wick assembly is assembled properly and holds the assembly steady and secure. The joining section is configured to rest firmly against the inner side of the wall 21 of the wick sheath 20 to mechanically hold the wick in the proper or intended position within the wick sheath.

[0078] The wick sheath 20 has one or more perimeter walls 64 defining a chamber 66. The chamber may be hollow for receiving the wick and has an open top. The chamber may have an open bottom. The wick 18 occupies a portion of the hollow chamber 66. The wick divides the hollow chamber into a plurality of chambers 68, 70, 72, 74 as labeled in FIG. 6. The chambers 68, 70, 72, 74 may be equal or substantially equal in size and area. The chambers comprise hollow or open interiors.

[0079] The wick sheath 20 and its wall(s) 64 comprise an upper portion 65 extending from the top 40, such as labeled in FIG. 5. The wall ends 51, 53, 55, 57 of the section 28 and 30 of the wick intersect and cover portions of the interior side 69 of the wall(s) 64 of the wick sheath as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The end wall may cover by being in surface-to-surface contact. The wick sheath 20 is cylindrical with a circular horizontal cross-section.

[0080] FIGS. 10 to 39B show alterative embodiment wick assemblies comprising alternative embodiment wicks 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 and wick sheath 20 or alternative embodiment wick sheaths 174, 216, 234, 272 usable in the burner 10 in place of wick 18 and/or wick sheath 20. FIGS. 10 to 13 show another embodiment wick 80 in wick sheath 20. Wick 80 is similar to wick 18, except the horns 82 are taller and the valley 84 between the horns 82 is deeper than the valley 71 between the horns of the wick 18 and the horns 82 extend higher above the top 40 of the wick sheath 20. The ends 81 of the segments of the wick 80 intersect the inside 69 of the wall 64 of the wick sheath, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 13.

[0081] FIGS. 14 to 16 show another embodiment wick 86 in wick sheath 20. Wick 86 comprises a single planar body. The wick 86 has a domed or curved top 88 between a first end 89 and a second end 90. The wick extends above the top of the wick sheath from the first side 89 to the second side 90 as shown in FIG. 15. The wick 86 divides the chamber 66 of the wick sheath into a first chamber 92 and a second chamber 94. The ends 89, 90 of the wick intersect the inside 69 of the wall 64 of the wick sheath, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16.

[0082] FIGS. 17 to 19 show another embodiment wick 96 in wick sheath 20. The wick 96 comprises two intersecting planar sections 98, 100 resulting in four segments 102, 104, 106, 108. The sections 98, 100 have a peak intersection 99 between a first end 110, 114 and a second end 112, 116. The wick extends above the top of the wick sheath from the first end 110, 114 to the second end 112, 116 as shown in FIG. 18. The wick 96 divides the chamber 66 of the wick sheath 20 into a plurality of chambers 118, 120, 122, 124. The ends 110, 112, 114, 116 of the segments 102, 104, 106, 108 intersect the inside 69 of the wall 64 of the wick sheath.

[0083] FIGS. 20 to 22 show another embodiment wick 126 in wick sheath 20. Wick 126 comprises a single planar body. An upper portion of the wick comprises two horns 128, 130 and a valley 132 between the horns. The horns extend above the top of the wick sheath. The valley is located below a top of the wick sheath. The horns are at or adjacent the opposite ends 131 of the wick. The wick 86 divides the chamber 66 of the wick sheath into a first chamber 134 and a second chamber 136. The ends 131 of the wick intersect the inside 69 of the wall 64.

[0084] FIGS. 23 to 25 show another embodiment wick 138 in wick sheath 20. Wick 138 comprises a fan-shape. The wick comprises three planar segments 140, 142, 144. The segments join at a center 146. The segments may be arranged as vertices of a triangle without the edges of the triangle as shown in FIG. 25. The wick 126 divides the chamber 66 of the wick sheath 20 into a first chamber 147, a second chamber 148, and a third chamber 150. The ends 139 of the segments contact the inside 69 of the wall 64, as shown in FIG. 25. The top of the wick, including the top of each segment 140, 142, 144 extends above the top 40 of wick sheath as shown in FIG. 24. The segments have a domed or curved top as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0085] FIGS. 26 to 28 show another embodiment wick 152 in wick sheath 20. Wick 152 comprises a triangular shape. The wick comprises three planar segments 154, 156, 158. The adjacent segments join at corners 160, 162, 164 as shown in FIG. 28. The wick 152 divides the chamber 66 of the wick sheath 20 into a first chamber 166, a second chamber 168, a third chamber 170, and a fourth chamber 171. The fourth chamber is defined on each side by the segments 154, 156, 158. The other chambers are defined by at least one segment and a portion of the wall 64. The ends 151 of the segments intersect the inside 69 of the wall 64, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28. The top of the wick, including the top of each segment 154, 156, 158 extends above the top 40 of wick sheath as shown in FIG. 27. The segments have a domed or curved top as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

[0086] FIGS. 29 to 31 show another embodiment wick 172 and another embodiment wick sheath 174. The wick sheath 174 is configured as a box with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a square as shown in FIG. 31, although other quadrilateral shapes can be used. The sheath 174 has four planar side walls 176, 178, 180, 182 defining a hollow chamber 184 with an open top.

[0087] The wick 172 occupies a portion of the hollow chamber 184. The wick 172 divides the hollow chamber 184 into a plurality of chambers 185, 186, 188, 190 as labeled in FIG. 31. The chambers may be equal or substantially equal in size and area. The chambers comprise hollow or open interiors.

[0088] The wick 172 comprises planar sections 192, 194 that intersect at a valley 195 resulting in four segments 196, 198, 200, 202. Each segment comprises a protruding portion or horn 204, 206, 208, 210. Each of the horns extend above a top 212 of the wick sheath 174. The intersection at the valley 195 is below the top 212. The ends 173 of the segments 196, 198, 200, 202 intersect the inside surface 181 of the walls 176, 178, 180, 182, as shown in FIG. 31.

[0089] FIGS. 32 to 34 show wick 172 and another embodiment wick sheath 216. The wick sheath is configured in the shape of a heart with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a heart as shown in FIGS. 32 and 34. The sheath 216 has two walls or wall portions 218, 220 defining a hollow chamber 222 with an open top.

[0090] The wick 172 divides the hollow chamber 222 of the wick sheath into a plurality of chambers 224, 226, 228, 230 as labeled in FIG. 34. The chambers may be equal or substantially equal in size and area. The chambers comprise hollow or open interiors. The ends 221 of the segments 196, 198, 200, 202 intersect the interior surface 219 of the corresponding wall 218, 220 of the sheath 216, as shown in FIG. 34. Each of the horns 204, 206, 208, 210 extend above a top 217 of the wick sheath 216. The intersection at the valley 195 is below the top 217.

[0091] FIGS. 35 to 37 show another embodiment wick 232 and another embodiment wick sheath 234. The wick sheath is configured in the shape of an elliptic cylinder with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of an ellipse as shown in FIG. 37. The sheath 324 has an elliptic perimeter wall 235 comprising an interior surface 237 defining a hollow chamber 250 with an open top.

[0092] The wick 232 comprises planar sections 236, 238 that intersect 240 resulting in four segments 242, 244, 246, 248. Section 238 is the major axis of the ellipse and is longer than section 236, which is the minor axis of the ellipse.

[0093] The wick 232 occupies a portion of the hollow chamber 250. The wick 232 divides the hollow chamber 250 into a plurality of chambers 252, 254, 256, 258 as labeled in FIG. 37. The chambers may be equal or substantially equal in size and area. The chambers comprise hollow or open interiors. Each sections 236, 238 extends above at top 260 of the sheath 234 from a first end 262, 266 to a second end 264, 268. The sections 236, 238 have domed or curved tops. The ends 262, 264, 266, 268 of the segments intersect the inside surface 327 of the wall 235 of the sheath.

[0094] FIG. 38A, B, and C show another wick assembly comprising wick 172 and wick sheath 174, which are the same as shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, except that the wick is rotated 45 degrees so that the ends of the wick contact the wick sheath 174 at the center of each wall 176, 178, 180, 182, instead of at the corners. This results in different positioned chambers 161, 163, 166, 167 as shown in FIG. 38C. The ends 173 of the segments 196, 198, 200, 202 intersect the inside surface 181 of the walls 176, 178, 180, 182, as shown in FIG. 38C.

[0095] FIG. 39A shows wick 172 in another embodiment wick sheath 272. Sheath 272 is the same as sheath 20 except the wall 64 has a plurality of through-going air intake apertures 274. The apertures 274 are spaced apart about the circumference of the wick sheath. The apertures may be located adjacent to the top 40 of the wick sheath 272. In some embodiments, the apertures are located in the top half or top quarter of the height of the wick sheath. The air intake apertures allow an increased amount of oxygen to be introduced into the burner thereby resulting in a higher burning/operating temperature.

[0096] The number and size of air intake apertures 274 in the wick sheath affects the burn performance of the wick assembly 12. For example, the flame can be reduced by utilizing fewer apertures or no apertures, thereby reducing the combustion of oxygen. The number of apertures will affect the stoichiometry of the combustion, generally by using oxygen as the limiting reactant to make larger, soot free, stable flames. In some embodiments, the wick sheath is perforated with micro air apertures of less than 0.125 inches in diameter to enable air intake during use. The air intake holes can be placed in the upper half of the wick sheath and can be any number of holes at or greater than one. The ends 173 of the segments of the wick 172 intersect the inside surface 69 of the walls 64.

[0097] In some embodiments, the angle of incidence 61, as shown in FIG. 39B, between the inner wall surface 69 of the wick sheath 20 and the wick 172 as it moves toward the interior of the chamber 66 is equal to or greater than 10 degrees (to accommodate tip testing methods and ensuring the wick is maintained fully in the interior of the burner even when tilted at 10 degrees).

[0098] In some embodiments, the interior wall(s) 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 218, 220, 235 of the wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 is/are black. The interior walls may be coated with black, preferably flat black, paint or material or is made of a material with a black surface to accelerate thermal transfer of heat to the wick sheath which then imparts heat to the remainder of the burner or apparatus in which it is used, such as the melting plate 16, 26.

[0099] FIG. 40 illustrates portions of a wick sheath 18 and wick 20, but the following discussion of carbon build up prevention apply to each of the wicks 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 and wick sheaths 174, 216, 234, 272. When the wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 intersects/contacts and extends above the top 40, 212, 217, 260 of the wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 along a perimeter of the chamber of the wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272, after a period of use, carbon may build-up at the intersection 43 of the top 40, 212, 217, 260 of the sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 and the wick wall, such as end walls 51, 53, 55, 57 for example, that is /re in contact with the interior surface 69, 181, 219, 237 of the wall(s) 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 218, 220, 235 of the sheath. Therefore, to prevent excessive carbon buildup that will increase the flame height beyond a predefined acceptable amount, such as beyond 3 inches, the distance that wick intersects with the top 40, and that the wick extends vertically 41 above at the intersection, about the perimeter of the chamber defined by the wick sheath may be limited to a predefined amount.

[0100] In some embodiments, the wick intersects with the one or more perimeter wall(s) at the top 40, 212, 219, 260 at 25 percent or less, or more than zero percent and not more than 25 percent, of a perimeter of the chamber 66, 184, 222, 250 defined by the wick sheath. The wick extends vertically 41 above at the intersection with the one or more perimeter wall(s) at the top 40, 212, 217, 260 at 25 percent or less, or more than zero percent and not more than 25 percent, of a perimeter of the chamber 66, 184, 222, 250 defined by the wick sheath, and in particular the perimeter at the top 40, 212, 217, 260 of the chamber 66, 184, 222, 250, such as at the edge 73, 213, 215, 239 at the top 40, 212, 217, 260 and the interior surface 69, 181, 219, 237. The perimeter of the chamber will include all the side walls of the wick sheath when the wick sheath comprises multiple side walls, for example, for sheath 174 the perimeter include side walls 176, 178, 180, 182. The perimeter of the chamber of sheath 174 is measured as the sum of the lengths of the side walls at the top 212, such as at the edge 213 at the top 212 and the interior surface 181. For sheath 216 the perimeter includes walls or wall portions 218, 220 and the perimeter may be measured at the edge 215 at the top 217 and the interior surface 219. When the wick sheath has one wall, then the perimeter of the chamber will include that wall, for example, for the circular cylindrical sheath 20, the perimeter will be the circumference defined by wall 64 at the top 40, such as at the edge 73 at the top 40 and the interior surface 69, and for the elliptic cylindrical sheath 234 the perimeter will be the circumference defined by wall 235 at the top 260, such as at the edge 239 at the top 260 and the interior surface 237.

[0101] Seventy-five percent or more of the perimeter of the chamber 66 184, 222, 250 at the one or more perimeter walls 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 218, 220, 235 are exposed and free from a wick intersecting at the top 40, 212, 217, 260 and extending vertically above the intersection.

[0102] The wick may intersect and extend above the intersection with the top of the wall(s) at a plurality of spaced apart locations. For example, the wick 18 intersects with the perimeter wall 64 at the top 40 at the four spaced apart locations where the four ends 51, 53, 55, 57 meet and contact the interior surface 69 of the perimeter wall 64, and extends vertically 41 above each of those intersections. The wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 intersects with the corresponding perimeter wall(s) 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 218, 220, 235 of the sheath at the top 212, 217, 260 at 2, 3, or 4 spaced apart locations where the wick ends 51, 53, 55, 57, 81, 89, 90, 110, 112, 114, 116, 131, 139, 151, 173, 221, 262, 264, 266, 268 meet and contact the interior surface 69, 181, 219, 237 of the corresponding perimeter wall(s) 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 218, 220, 235, and extends vertically 41 above each of those intersections.

[0103] In the case of the illustrated wick 18 and wick sheath 20, the wick 18 intersects with the perimeter wall 64 at the top 40 at the four ends 51, 53, 55, 57 and extends vertically 41 above those intersections, and those intersections comprise about 9 percent of the total perimeter of the chamber 66 at the top. In the case of the illustrated wick 126 and wick sheath 20, the wick 126 intersects with the perimeter wall 64 at the top 40 at two ends 131 and extends vertically 41 above those intersections, and those intersections comprise about 4 or 5 or 4.5 percent of the total perimeter of the chamber 66 at the top.

[0104] In some embodiments, all portions of the wick in contact with the wick sheath are set below the top surface of the wick sheath.

[0105] Separate from the matter of the intersection of the wick at the top of the wick sheath just discussed, in some embodiments, the wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 comprises an interior uncovered portion(s) where the interior surface area of the perimeter wall(s) of the wick sheath is at least 50 precent uncovered. Therefore, the total area of the interior surface 69, 181, 219, 237 of all of the perimeter wall(s) of the corresponding wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 from a top 40, 212, 217, 260 to a bottom 45, 175, 211, 261 of the wall/wick sheath is at least 50 percent uncovered. The interior uncovered portion(s) is/are not covered by wick or other components and therefore is/are exposed or more directly exposed to the flame and/or heat from the flame burning on the wick. For example, FIGS. 6, 12, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, show that at least a majority of the interior surface 69 of the cylindrical wall 66 of sheath 20 is not covered by the wick or any other component, as is the case for the interior surfaces 181, 219, 237 of sheaths 174, 216, 234, 272 shown in FIGS. 31, 34, 37, 38C.

[0106] The wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 is or comprises a non-wicking material, such as aluminum, steel, copper, iron, bronze, ceramic, glass, stone, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the aluminum is 6006 aluminum. The wick sheath shape is generally hollow vertically (like a cylinder standing upright) but can be of any generally enclosed geometry or shape, including but not limited to a circle, square, oval, triangle, rectangle, any polygon, rhombus, star, and heart, and the wick sheath can define the shape of the wick assembly. The wall thickness of the wick sheath may generally be, but are not required to be, thin, such as 0.25 inches or less. The interior of the wick sheath is open and occupied by the wick. The wick sheath 20, 174, 216, 234, 272 may comprise an open top and an open bottom. In some embodiments, wick sheath 20 comprises an outside diameter of 0.59 inches and an inside diameter of 0.55 inches and a height of 0.69 inches, but other dimensions can be used.

[0107] As has been shown, the interior of the wick sheath is traversed by one or more wicks, which may be planar wicks. At least one portion of the wick within the interior of the wick sheath extends above the top surface of the wick sheath. The wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 traversing the interior open space within the wick sheath may extend fully to the bottom of the wick sheath or sufficiently deep enough (low enough) to be in continuous contact with the liquid fuel when liquid fuel is present. In the bowl 14, for example, the wick should at least extend down to the level of the melting plate 16 which should allow continuous contact with the melted liquid fuel when liquid fuel is present. The wicks 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 contact the wall(s) of the wick sheath, such as at the wick ends 51, 53, 55, 57, 81, 89, 90, 110, 112, 114, 116, 131, 139, 151, 173, 221, 262, 264, 266, 268, including for dividing the chamber formed by the wick sheath into a plurality of chambers. The wicks 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 may contact the wick sheath at the wick ends 51, 53, 55, 57, 81, 89, 90, 110, 112, 114, 116, 131, 139, 151, 173, 221, 262, 264, 266, 268 along the entire height of the wick, wick sheath, and/or wick end.

[0108] The wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 may be comprised of any number of materials including but not limited to refractory papers, refractory blankets, refractory felt, nonwoven metal, sintered glass, porous metal, porous ceramic, carbon fiber paper, fiberglass, and woven metal fiber. In some embodiments, the wick is comprised of ceramic fiber paper, such as Fiberfrax Ceramic Paper 970A manufactured by Unifrax LLC of Niagara Falls, NY. In some embodiments, the wick is comprised of one or more of ceramic fiber paper, sintered glass, porous metals, porous ceramics, capillary glass, capillary metal, porous rock, metal weave, fiberglass, fiber glass cloth, refractory foam, refractory roll board, refractory tissue, refractory paper, refractory felt, refractory blanket, carbon fiber woven cloth, and carbon composite. The wick material is generally thin, which may be less than 0.25 inches in thickness. The wick may be made of a 1 millimeter thick refractory paper and cut or formed according to the shapes shown herein. The bowl 14 may comprise wood, glass, ceramic, metal, and high melting resin. The melting plate 16, 26 may comprise metal or other rigid heat conductive material.

[0109] In traversing the open space within the wick sheath, the wick divides the burner into two or more sections of open space, with at least one of the sections or open chambers with one side comprised of wick material and at least one side comprised of wick sheath material. In that manner, there are at least two open sections or chambers within the wick assembly that can store vapor phase or preheated liquid fuel prior to being consumed by the flame 39 atop the wick assembly. The pre-heating of the fuel in the liquid or vapor phase leads to a complete combustion of the fuel by the flame and eliminates sooting (which is a requirement for indoor use). Additionally, with the wick sheath now significantly exposed intimately to the vapor phase fuel, heat is more effectively and efficiently conducted to the melting plate 16, 26 and optionally the bowl 14.

[0110] In general operation of the wax burner 10, a solid fuel, such as meltable solid fuel wax 275, 280, is placed on the melting plate 16, 26. The solid fuel 275, 280 may be a wax. The wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232 is lit and the resulting flame 39 begins to heat the solid fuel causing it to melt. The melted fuel flows along the melting plate 16, 26 to the wick assembly 12 and to the housing recess 21, 33. When the melting plate has apertures 27, the melted fuel can flow through the melting plate 26 on to plate 16 and toward the wick assembly 12 and the housing recesses 21, 33. The melted fuel is drawn into the wick to continue fueling the flame at the wick. The flame transmits heat to the solid fuel in at least two ways. First, heat from the flame is transmitted through the ambient air to the solid fuel. Second, heat is thermally transferred to the wick sheath and through the wick sheath and the melting plate 16, 26 to the fuel 275, 280 which is in contact with the melting plate 16, 26. In some arrangements, wax may fall directly on the wick to prime the wick during initial operation until fuel is drawn into a bottom portion of the wick for feeding the flame at the top of the wick.

[0111] The burner 10 utilizes a meltable solid fuel. The solid fuel can be in either a pellet form or a pre-formed solid element, such as meltable solid fuel wax 275, 280.

[0112] The solid fuel used by the burner 10 may be comprised of solid wax fuels, such as soy wax, palm wax, beeswax, paraffin, or other hydrocarbon fuels that are solid below 90 Fahrenheit(F) and liquid above 220 F. More particularly, the solid fuel waxes used by the burner may comprise those that melt when heated to temperatures in the ranges of 125 F to 180 F.

[0113] In one embodiment, the solid fuel 275 has a priming section 276, a stoking section 277, and a main section 278 as shown in FIG. 42. The priming section is located adjacent to the wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232, such as above the wick. This may include being above a horn such as horn 32. The priming section has a thickness that is sufficiently small to allow for quick melting to prime the wick. The stoking section 277 is sized to bridge the fueling of the wick until the main section 278 is sufficiently heated to deliver melted fuel for fueling the wick.

[0114] In some embodiments, the different sections 276, 277, 278 of the solid fuel 275 may be comprised of different fuel formulations, including but not limited to melting point, vaporization point, oil content level, type of oil (fragrance, insect repellent, short chain hydrocarbons, medicinal ingredients, glycol, or other), and total mass.

[0115] In FIG. 42, the priming section 276 is configured to be positioned above at least a portion of the wick 18, 80, 86, 96, 126, 138, 152, 172, 232. In some embodiments, the priming section is in contact with an upper surface of the wick. In some embodiments, the priming mass is adjacent but not directly above the wick. When a portion of the priming section is located above the wick, the wick portion below the overhanging priming section may be an ignition portion where the priming section will flow. This ignition portion is generally an upper portion of the wick with a relatively small total mass, such as the horns, to keep the total heat capacity at the point of ignition at a minimum. There can be multiple ignition portions about the top edge of the wick, any of which can receive the fuel from the priming section of the refill and be ignited.

[0116] The priming section is positioned so as to allow a typical igniting flame from a match or lighter to be in contact with the wick and to be close enough to melt at least a portion of the priming section. The priming section, once melted, preferentially flows toward and into the wick or interior to the wick sheath. The priming section, when melted, may fall directly on top of the wick, and/or it may fall on to the side wall of the wick, and/or it may fall adjacent, but not directly on the wick, but then flow toward and make contact with the wick. The priming section has generally the smallest mass as compared to sections 277, 278 because it, along with the wick, needs to be elevated to ignition temperature quickly by the flame. A larger mass will take longer to melt and provide fuel to the wick. Therefore, the priming section enables an accelerated flame start time at the wick. The priming section is sized to balance, during ignition, between not enough fuel to ignite the wick and not too much melted fuel so as to avoid flooding the wick.

[0117] The priming section may be initially melted by the ignition source, such as a match, lighter, or other flame source, before the flame begins on the wick. Once the flame begins on the wick and the ignition source is removed the flame on the wick will continue to melt the priming section. In some embodiments, the priming section, when melted by the ignition source, will flow directly to the portion of the wick that will first be ignited which is generally at or adjacent the placement of the ignition source.

[0118] In some embodiments, the priming section has a mass in the range of 0.01 grams to 0.5 grams and hangs over the top of the wick in such a manner that when the fuel melts, the resulting flow creates one or more drops of fuel that prime the wick. In some embodiments, the priming section has a mass of 0.5 grams or less.

[0119] The stoking section 277 is close enough to be melted primarily from heat radiation by the newly ignited flame at the wick and is generally of larger size than the priming section 276 because it needs to supply the fuel to wet the totality of the wick so that the full flame may develop. Unlike the priming mass, however, the stoking section needs to flow primarily away from the flame and toward the bottom portion of the wick otherwise the wick or flame may become flooded. Therefore, the stoking section is positioned close enough to the flame to melt the fuel via radiating heat but far enough away to make sure the melting wax does not flow into the flame and flood the wick. A flooded wick would result in very slow flame development or may extinguish the flame. Flow channels, such as flow paths B and C of FIG. 48, may be provided to route melting wax so that it does not flood the flame.

[0120] The melted stoking mass flows away from the ignited section of the wick and down toward the base of the wick assembly, entering the wick assembly 12 from the bottom, and wetting the wick from the bottom. This feeding of the wick from the bottom stokes the flame as it develops more fully. In this manner, the newly ignited flame is not at risk of flooding and will not starve itself of fuel since the melted fuel is delivered quickly to the wick assembly 12.

[0121] The function of the stoking section is to fully develop the flame and increase the burner operating temperature above that of the melt point of the solid fuel. The stoking section must be of sufficient mass to allow the flame to burn until the burner reaches the desired melting temperature. If not, the burner will be starved of liquid fuel and the ignited flame will go out leaving a solid mass of wax fuel behind. The stoking section must also be designed in such a way as to avoid flooding the wick at or near the ignition area. This is done by creating a physical design of the stoking section and its placement relative to the wick assembly that allows the melted fuel of the stoking section to flow to the wick either beneath the ignited portion of the wick or to the side of the ignited portion of the wick.

[0122] In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass in the range of 0.25 grams to 2.5 grams. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass greater than 0.24 grams and less than 3 grams. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass that is 5 times the mass of the priming section. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass that is 25 times the mass of the priming section. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass that is in the range of 5 to 2500 times the size of the priming section.

[0123] The main section 278 is the largest of the three sections 276, 277, 278. The main section provides the bulk of the fuel that is melted primarily from conductive heat. Conductive heat is transferred from the flame through the wick sheath to the melting grate to the main section 278 in contact with the melting grate and within a radiating distance there from. The main section may also be heated through radiant heat transferred through ambient air from the flame at the wick. The main section provides a continuous supply of melted fuel to the base of the wick assembly to be drawn in and combusted in the wick assembly 12 until the fuel is exhausted. The main section is generally the furthest section from the flame and wick.

[0124] The main section has a mass that is sized depending on the desired total burn time of the burner 10 without a refill as well as the size of the melting plate 16, 26. In some embodiments, the main section has a mass in the range of 3 grams to 25 grams. In some embodiments, the main section has a mass in excess of 25 grams.

[0125] In some embodiments, the main section has a mass that is 10 times the mass of the stoking section. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass that is 12 times the mass of the stoking section. In some embodiments, the stoking section has a mass that is greater or equal to 10 times the size of the stoking section.

[0126] The solid fuel 275 may be configured, when placed adjacent other solid fuel, to form a completely surrounding fuel configuration about wick assembly 12.

[0127] When the solid fuel 275 is positioned adjacent the reusable wick, the nature of the geometry of the solid fuel will manage the igniting, forming, and maintaining the desired flame. Upon placing a match, lighter, or other igniting element close to the point where the solid fuel touches or is adjacent the wick, the heat from the ignition source melts the relatively small amount of wax that then flows toward and into the wick from the top of the wick assembly. Because the total mass of the priming section fuel combined with the wick is small relative to the mass of the full wick filled with fuel, the ignition flame then can elevate the collective mass of the of the full wick and melted fuel to its ignition temperature and the burner is primed.

[0128] Once the wick is ignited, the flame then melts through the remainder of the priming section and into the stoking section 277 of the wickless refill through radiating heat from the flame through the ambient air. However, rather than drawing the newly melted fuel directly into the flame, this section of melting fuel runs away from the flame and toward the bottom end of the wick, seeking to fully replenish the wick with melted fuel without restricting or flooding the developing flame at the top. The spacing of the stoking section from the wick assembly 12 should be such as to allow space for the newly melted wax to flow so that it does not flow down onto the flame. As the melted wax begins to fill or saturate the bottom of the wick, it enables the full development of the desired flame.

[0129] As the larger and more fully developed flame grows fed by fuel from the stoking section, the main section 278 begins to melt via conductive heating. The main section 278 is larger and comprises more mass than the stoking section or the priming section. The main section continues to supply/replenish the fuel within the wick from the bottom portion of the wick until the total mass of all fuel is exhausted and the flame is extinguished. When the flame runs out of fuel and is extinguished it will leave behind a dry wick ready to be used by another wickless wax refill.

[0130] FIGS. 43-48 show another embodiment of a solid fuel 280 usable in place of solid fuel 275 in the burner 10. The solid fuel has a body 281, arms 282, 283, and a main protruding section 284. The body 281 has a back wall 285, an upper front wall 286, a lower front wall 287, a bottom wall 288, a left side wall 289, a right side wall 290. The back wall joins with the upper front wall, and the front wall joins with the bottom wall. The left and right side walls define the radial ends of the solid fuel. Each of the walls may meet a corresponding other at a curved joints.

[0131] The main protruding section 284 has an upper protruding section 284j comprising a first forwardly extending portion 284a and a second forwardly extending portion 284b joining the first forwardly extending portion 284a at a curved nose section 284i. The upper protruding section 284j has opposite inwardly converging sidewalls 284g, 284h. Below the upper protruding section 284j is a mid section having a first facing surface 284c. Below the mid section, is a lower section 284k having a first front wall 284d, and a first lower wall 284m. The first lower wall 284m extends from the body 281. The first front wall 284d meets the first lower wall 284m at a curved intersection 2841. The lower section 284k has opposite side walls 284e, 284f. The main protruding section may be located at the midpoint between the side walls 289, 290.

[0132] The lower front wall 287 curves inward to create an open pool space 291 between the body adjacent and between the arms 282, 283. This pool space allows melting wax to gather between the body and the wick sheath to continue fueling the wick without flooding the wick. If open pool space 291 forming a gap between the bottom 287a of the lower front wall 287 did not exist, the wax may flood the wick and extinguish the flame.

[0133] The solid fuel 280 is formed so when the arms contact the wick sheath the upper protruding section 284j is properly positioned above the wick. Therefore, melted wax from the priming section, which includes the portion of curved nose section 284i that extends over the wick, can fall on the wick and initiate ignition of the wick. Further the arms ensure there is sufficient space within the pool space 291 for wax from the stoking section to flow down the solid fuel and to the base of the wick sheath to fuel the wick from the bottom. In some embodiments, the gap between bottom 287a of the lower front wall 287 and the wick sheath is 0.125 inches at a bisecting vertical midline 293.

[0134] Each of the arms are mirror image identical about the bisecting vertical midline 293. Therefore, only arm 283 will be described. The arm has a rising bottom section 283a, which meets the upper portion 238b at a curved end 283c. As shown in FIG. 46, the curved end 283c does not extend substantially beyond the forward most portion of the upper front wall 286. In some embodiments, the curved end 283c is co-planer with the forward most portion of the upper front wall 286. The arms rise above the lower most bottom 288 as the arms extend away from the body.

[0135] In some embodiments, the lower section 284k and/or the mid-section having a first facing surface 284c are configured to contact the wick sheath when the upper protruding section 284j is properly positioned above the wick. Therefore, the lower section 284k and/or the mid-section together with the arms create three points of contact between the solid fuel and the wick sheath that properly position the solid fuel and the priming section relative to the wick. The solid fuel 280 arm 382 can contact a lower portion of the wick sheath.

[0136] FIG. 48 shows a number of flow paths along which melted wax may flow when heated by the heat generated from the flame on the wick assembly 12. A priming flow path A delivers melted fuel directly to the top of the wick. The melted wax moving along priming flow path A will fall off of the upper protruding section 284j onto the top of the wick until the upper protruding section 284j has melted to the extent that it no longer extends over the top of the wick. Stoking flow paths B and C deliver melted wax to the open pool space 291 where it will flow to the bottom of the wick sheath and be absorbed into the bottom of the wick.

[0137] One or more of the embodiments of the burner 10 disclosed herein comprise one or more of the following features or benefits: while not limited to indoor use, an improved reusable burner for indoor use that meets the flame height safety requirements, such as below 3 inches, and market driven desires for wax formulation flexibility; a wax burner that reduces excess carbon buildup, such as carbon deposits or carbon pill creation, on the periphery of the wick which effectively increase the size of the wick and enable growing flames that inevitably exceed the 3 inch maximum flame height; a wax burner that maintains a flame bellow 3 inches over the course of repeated consecutive burn cycles; excess carbon build up is avoided even during repeated use; a limited or reduced amount of wick material at and vertically above the top perimeter of the wick sheath to reduce carbon build up; and/or a burner that can maintain a larger flame, when desired, without soot for aesthetics, lighting, and driving the thermodynamics needed for volatile compound delivery (for those waxes containing ingredients including but not limited to fragrance, citronella, eucalyptus, and essential oils).

[0138] When the outermost surface of the wick are at or below the top surface of the wick sheath, this will greatly depress both the flame height and the thermal transfer of heat into and throughout the burner. To reinvigorate both the flame and the thermal transfer of heat, the wick extends above the upper surface of the wick sheath in at least some locations, such as in the interior of the chamber formed by the wick sheath and/or with a limited or reduced amount of wick material at and vertically above the top perimeter of the wick sheath. When the portions of the wick extending above the top of the wick sheath are in the interior of the wick sheath, the hottest section of the flame will fully consume any fuel or fragrance passing through it, thus preventing carbon deposits from forming on the surface of the wick. Carbon deposits forming on the limited or reduced amount of wick material at and vertically above the top perimeter of the wick sheath, should be insufficient to generate an unwanted increase in flame height.

[0139] The burner 10 creates open space within the wick assembly below the top surface of the wick sheath to allow vapor phase fuel to be staged and preheated. This eliminates sooting (even with a larger flame) and creates a more stable flame less prone to being inadvertently extinguished. However, with the interior spaces of the wick assembly bound by a combination of wick material (to provide fuel) and uncovered heat conductive wick sheath (to better transfer heat), the pre-heating mechanism and overall thermodynamics are sped up to melt the fuel, heat the liquid fuel, volatilize the fuel, and stage heated vapor for more complete fuel combustion to carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, the burner 10 provides an even further extended burn life and use.

[0140] In some embodiments, the burner 10 is much more accommodating of fragrance formulae that otherwise might lead to excessive carbon deposits and failing flame heights; has removed at least some restrictions on ingredients in the fuel such as dyes, micro-waxes, surfactants, and the like; this only expands the menu of paraffin waxes that work without issue, the burner also enables the use of lesser refined natural waxes such as soy wax as a formula base; and therefore there is an improved overall formulation robustness for wax fuel usable with the burner, in some embodiments, including one or more of wax bases, micro-wax additives, emulsifiers, dyes/colorants, and other additives. In some embodiments, the burner 10 enables use of larger hydrocarbon ingredients that would otherwise be incompletely combusted by the flame and be a building block of carbon pill formation, such as raspberry ketones.

[0141] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. For example, one or more component embodiments may be combined, modified, removed, or supplemented to form further embodiments within the scope of the invention. Further, steps could be added or removed from the processes described. Therefore, other embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention.