# US 11,298,439 B2 · Electronic scent producing imitation candle device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,439 B2 - Document ID: US11298439B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/518,060 - Filed: 2019-07-22 - Published: 2020-06-11 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-26 - Assignees: L&L Candle Company, LLC - Applicants: L&L Candle Company, LLC - Inventors: Xiaofeng Li - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298439B2 ## CPC - A61L 9/03: Apparatus therefor - A61L 9/032: {comprising a fan} - A61L 9/035: {emanating multiple odours} - F21S 10/046: {by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources} - H05B 47/11: by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light - A61L 2209/11: Apparatus for controlling air treatment - A61L 2209/111: Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors - A61L 2209/12: Lighting means - F21W 2121/00: Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00 - Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract Electronic imitation candle devices are described that produce a scent while including a flame-like element that simulates a real fire flame. One example device includes a support assembly having a base, a top plate and a support rod that connects the base and the top plate, as well as a flame element and a light source to simulate a real candle flame. The device also includes a fragrance compartment above the top plate that includes a lid removably positioned on top of the fragrance container. The device is further provided with a heating element above the top plate and below the fragrance container to provide heat to the fragrance container, and a switch coupled to the lid of the fragrance container and operable to sense that the fragrance container is covered by the lid and to deactivate the heating element when the fragrance container is covered by the lid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic imitation candle device, comprising: a shell; a flame element positioned in the shell to simulate a real flame; a fragrance compartment positioned in the shell; a heating element positioned below the fragrance compartment to provide heat to the fragrance compartment; and a protection device comprising a contact pin, a spring, and a conductive switch, wherein the protection device is positioned under the fragrance compartment, wherein the spring is positioned to surround the contact pin, wherein one end the contact pin is coupled to the fragrance compartment to detect a presence or absence of a fragrance material within the fragrance compartment; wherein another end of the contact pin is coupled to the conductive switch, which is coupled to the heating element to affect a supply of power to the heating element in response to detection of the presence or absence of the fragrance material; wherein upon detection of an empty fragrance compartment or a presence of a nominal amount of fragrance in the fragrance compartment the spring is configured to drive the contact pin to open the conductive switch and shut down the electronic imitation candle device; and wherein upon detection of a presence of fragrance compartment beyond the nominal amount the spring is configured to drive the contact pin to close the conductive switch and turn on the electronic imitation candle device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, wherein the flame element is disposed at a distance from the heating element to form a gap configured to allow heat dissipation for the heating element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, comprising additional one or more flame elements within the shell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, comprising additional one or more heating elements positioned below the fragrance compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, wherein the fragrance compartment includes one or more partitions that divide the fragrance compartment into a plurality of chambers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 5, wherein each chamber is configured to hold a fragrance material that is different from fragrance materials in other chambers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of chambers is in communication with each other to enable scents from a variety of fragrances to be mixed in the fragrance compartment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, comprising: an insulation layer disposed between the heating element and the shell to prevent overheating of the shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, wherein the fragrance compartment includes a compartment lid that is removably positioned on top of the fragrance compartment to cover the fragrance compartment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 9, wherein the fragrance compartment includes an insulation lid positioned under the compartment lid to impede heat transfer to the compartment lid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 9, wherein the compartment lid comprises a hollow structure that protrudes downward from a center of the fragrance compartment, the hollow structure including an elastic material therein that allows the compartment lid to be pressed downward or to be moved upward. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 11, further comprising a locking base positioned below the fragrance compartment to lock the compartment lid in place. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 11, further comprising an elevation device configured to control an opening of the compartment lid, wherein the elevation device comprises the elastic material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, comprising: a support assembly within the shell, the support assembly comprising a base and a top plate, wherein the fragrance compartment is positioned above the top plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 14, wherein the spring is disposed between the contact pin and the support assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 14, wherein the top plate of the support assembly includes an installation groove for accommodating a placement of the fragrance compartment inside the installation groove. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises an observation window thereon to allow the flame element to be viewed from outside of the electronic imitation candle device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, wherein the protection device is configured to activate or deactivate in response to a weight of the fragrance compartment. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control device to control an operation of the heating element according to a temperature of a fragrance material inside the fragrance compartment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The electronic imitation candle device of claim 1, further comprising a remote-control device configured to control an operation of the electronic scent producing imitation candle device from a remote location.